Greek parliament approves austere budget for 2016
  • 8 years ago
The Greek parliament approved a 2016 budget featuring sharp cuts in spending and some tax increases to satisfy the country's international lenders at a time of growing austerity fatigue.
The leftist-led government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is under pressure to deliver tangible benefits to its poorest citizens after having signed to a third rescue package from euro zone governments in August worth up to 86 billion euros.
The budget makes 5.7 billion euros in public spending cuts including 1.8 billion from pensions and 500 million from defense.
"This budget is a difficult task for a government that wants to leave its mark with social justice," Tsipras told lawmakers just before the vote.
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