ATHENS, Jan. 15 -- The Greek parliament approved on Monday a new austerity and reform package expected to clear the way for the disbursement of the next bailout tranche in the coming weeks.
The 1,500-page omnibus bill was approved with the backing of 154 for and 141 lawmakers voted against. A total of 295 lawmakers participated in the vote.
Addressing the plenary before the vote, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said that Greece moved one step closer towards exiting the bailouts and the eight-year debt crisis.
"A long and difficult cycle closes. Essentially, this concludes the legislative part of the prior actions needed for the conclusion of the third review and everybody is aware that with the conclusion of the third review, we are one step before the end of the program and the final end of the memoranda," he told MPs.
"The difficulties are now behind us. Ahead of us there is a great effort to heal the wounds of the crisis. Ahead of us is a big wager, what we have described as the wager of the fair growth," he added.
The bill foresees among others new cuts on family benefits and restrictions regarding the declaration of strikes.
It also foresees the launch of e-auctions for foreclosed properties as of Feb. 21 as part of efforts to reduce the burden on non-performing loans on Greek banks under the terms of the third Greek bailout which ends in the summer.
Responding to the criticism of opposition parties and labor unions which staged a new round of strikes and protests on Monday, the Greek premier said that there was much disinformation and misunderstanding.
The reform will make the benefits system fairer, he pledged.
Under the new law, first-level labor unions will need the absolute majority of at least 50 percent of active members who pay dues before declaring a strike in the future. Currently, the percentage stands at only one third of union members.
The frequency of strikes, in particular in the past eight years, obstructs the recovery of the ailing economy, the bill's proponents said.
"The approval of the bill is expected to remove lingering uncertainties and further strengthen Greece's outlook for a stronger recovery in 2018," the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises said in a report released on Monday.
Main opposition conservative New Democracy party leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis doubted the exit from the crisis was near.
"Nothing is over in August. The supervision (of Greek economy by international creditors) will continue. This is the truth. It is obvious that you will assume more obligations using as an alibi the debt relief," Mitsotakis added.
MP Theodora Megalooikonomou, who had been elected with the Centrists Union and turned independent in 2017, voted in favor of the bill and asked to join the parliamentary group of the radical left SYRIZA party.
Tsipras accepted the request and now SYRIZA has 145 seats in parliament, while the Independent Greeks party, the junior partner, has nine seats.
体坛英语资讯:Federer loses to Djokovic in Miami ATP tennis semi
体坛英语资讯:Zheng focuses on results, not rankings
体坛英语资讯:Djokovic enters quarterfinals, Kuznetsova makes semi in Miami tennis
体坛英语资讯:Nadal, Murray make fourth round at Miami tennis
体坛英语资讯:S. Williams upset in opening round of Andalucia Tennis Championships
体坛英语资讯:Hamburg suffers setback in title competition
体坛英语资讯:Czech soccer head coach Rada dismissed
体坛英语资讯:Chinese Guo wins womens keirin in track cycling worlds
体坛英语资讯:Robinho forgives Pele
体坛英语资讯:Cannavaro plays waiting game with Real Madrid
体坛英语资讯:Los Angeles Angles pitcher killed in car crash
体坛英语资讯:Higuain believes Barcelona can win treble
体坛英语资讯:Robles plans 110m hurdles record at Czech Golden Spike again
体坛英语资讯:Piturca sacked as Romanias national soccer team coach
体坛英语资讯:Haan resigns as Albania coach
体坛英语资讯:Venus upset, Peng out of Family Circle
体坛英语资讯:Teenager Azarenka beats Serena to win Miami WTA title
体坛英语资讯:Spaniard Blanco beats 50m butterfly world record
体坛英语资讯:Late Riera goal gives Spain key win in Turkey
体坛英语资讯:Jordon heads Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of fame, 2009
体坛英语资讯:Federer wins sportsmanship award for 5th year
体坛英语资讯:Briton McIlroy leads teenage parade
体坛英语资讯:Brazil, Britain to exchange experience in football
体坛英语资讯:Kevin Garnett to miss final two regular season games
体坛英语资讯:Venezuelan Valero contends title with Colombian Pitalua
体坛英语资讯:S Africas Wolmarans reaches quarterfinals at ATP Soweto Open
体坛英语资讯:Injured Kaka stays behind in Brazil to recuperate
体坛英语资讯:Aguero commits future to Atletico Madrid
体坛英语资讯:Bayern crush Frankfurt, Wolfsburg remain top
体坛英语资讯:Lakers star Kobe sued by housekeeper