The controversial third bailout agreement that was negotiated and agreed to– by force, according to Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras– was passed in the Greek parliament following a tense debate and all-night vote. The deal includes tough reforms and unpopular measures that European creditors have imposed on the people of Greece.
Legislation includes cuts in pensions, an increase of the value added tax (VAT), a clamp down on collective bargaining agreements and the establishment of quasi-automatic spending constraints. The most controversial component was the putting aside of 50 billion euros of public sector assets to be sold off under the supervision of foreign lenders.
The vote came as several members of Tsipras’ ruling Syriza party, including his ex-finance minister Yanis Varoufakis and president of the parliament Zoi Konstantopoulou– voted no. Numerous other left-leaning members of the Syriza party also voted no, leaving Tsipras in a precarious position within his own party.
299 MPs voted. A total of 64 voted “no” including 32 Syriza MPs. 6 voted “present (abstain).” A total of 229 parliamentarians from the opposition and other parties voted in favor of the bailout plan.
2 comments
What’s important to recognize here, is that this is, in fact, a better agreement than the one Mr. Tsipras walked away from before holding the referendum. While this deal is far from perfect, it is better than what was previously offered in that it does provide for relief to the people of Greece living through this crisis; does provide the opportunity to pay down debt on better terms and for growth; and does provide for a United Europe. I would say, that’s called compromise. Would you prefer a slow and certain death, with no opportunity for growth and to get out of this mess? The people of Greece were more enslaved before Tsipras walked out and called a referendum, than they are now! The “elite” were buying up Greece, many were fleeing causing a brain drain, poverty, unemployment, suicide, etc. Sooner or later, not only would others own the land the people of Greece can not afford, but they would govern it also. Make any sense to you? It does to me, it did to the Leaders of the Nations of the Eurogroup, it did to the members of parliament. Think about it … to who’s advantage is it, for this to fail? I always say, follow the money trail.
Why should the Greeks pay on debt they didn’t create? The banksters commit fraud and the people have to pay for it? If I were one on the Greek people I would be screaming for the heads of those 229 traitors. They sold out the people to pay a debt they are not responsible for. A debt that can never be paid off, based on the banking system. Time for the pitch folks and torches … The governments are far too corrupt to put an end to the global banking cartel … it’s going to be up to we the people to stop them.