Greek lawmakers have approved an austerity package to save euro4.8 billion ($6.52 billion) in budget costs and help reduce the country’s crushing debt load.
The legislation was approved on Friday by voice vote, in which lawmakers respond verbally without casting a ballot, while protestors clashed with riot police in the streets outside parliament.
The measures include increases in consumer taxes, and cuts in public sector workers’ pay of up to 8 percent.
The cutbacks are key in convincing bond markets to lend Greece money at less restrictive rates than it is now paying, and to win support from the European Union.
