Greek crisis: Protests in Athens turn violent as Tsipras urges MPs to back him - live updates
Riot police have clashed with anarchist groups in Athens tonight, as Greece's PM Tsipras faces rebellion over the country's bailout plan
- Latest: Molotov cocktails and tear gas
- Running battles in Athens
- Photos: Peaceful clashes, and then....
- Deputy finance minister quits and blasts austerity plan
- Tsipras tells MPs: I need your support
8.33pm BST
The situation does appear calmer.
2 tourists from UK told me it's their day one in #greece & find this experience interesting & not intimidating pic.twitter.com/0IhaTYnBo4
8.25pm BST
Here's a video clip of the moments when tonight's protests in Athens turned violent, just over an hour ago (scroll back here for rolling coverage of the demo)
8.22pm BST
Some Syriza MPs are saying they will support the package, but they clearly don't welcome its measures:
Torturous logic. #Syriza MP Dimitris Vitsas: "I don't want to speak in favour of the bill but about the necessity of passing it." #Vouli
8.20pm BST
Communist Party leader Dimitris Koutsoumbas is now speaking in parliament.
He says 'History is not repeating itself as tragedy but as a farce', as he criticises the government for signing up to such a harsh austerity package.
Now up. Dimitris Koutsoubas, leader of communist KKE. Says history is repeating itself. Memorandum 1, 2 and 3. #vouli pic.twitter.com/pijpWY1Vcl
8.13pm BST
Back inside the parliament building, finance minister Euclid Tsakalotos has been defending the bailout terms which Greece signed up to:
He says that Monday was the hardest day of his life, and one that will weigh on him for the rest of his life.
. Greek FinMin @tsakalotos I dont know if we did the right thing. But I know we felt we had no choice. We never said this was good agreement
8.06pm BST
We should repeat that the demonstrations in Athens were peaceful, until a small group began throwing petrol bombs.
Main clashes over - here's pic just before it started #Greece pic.twitter.com/270cE1rDCq
Things calm now outside the Parliament. Clashes, as usually, displaced in narrow roads arround. #Greece #15jgr pic.twitter.com/JcfKBUdz7n
8.03pm BST
#Greek protestors playing cat & mouse as they clash w riot police; Syntagma now empty bar peaceful protestors rep #Antarsya
8.01pm BST
Here's Reuters latest report from Athens:
7.53pm BST
The media van set alight in tonight's protests is now being dealt with:
#KLIVE IIII^1I IfI I^2II IIIIIIII^1III IfI...IIII^3IIII... IIII IfII IIIIII^3I1/4I I1/4IIIIIIII^1 I @jeansouliotis (LIVE) http://t.co/kGQCRhLdmX pic.twitter.com/cytjaFkXKY
7.52pm BST
More photos from tonight's clashes are coming in:
7.49pm BST
Atmosphere in #Athens 2night electric - clashes have moved from Syntagma to Zappeion park where media van now ablaze
7.45pm BST
This is the first serious trouble at a Greek protest this year, I believe.
Syntagma Square: striking to see the police forces nominally controlled by the Syriza government teargassing the Syriza activist base.
7.42pm BST
On the streets, there is still lots of shouting and the odd explosion, and helicopters overhead.
7.42pm BST
Reuters is reporting that the Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, has spoken by phone with the country's president tonight:
Tsipras had telephone call with Greek president Pavlopoulos. Last time this was the precursor to the referendum. #Greece
7.40pm BST
Left ANTARSYA re-organized and back in front of the Parliament after clashes. #Greece #mnimonio3 #15jgr pic.twitter.com/LBNKvqBORA
7.40pm BST
#Syntagma #Greece tonight: deja vu - air thick with tear gas; molotov cocktails burning around the square; riot police everywhere
7.38pm BST
Pitched running battles broke out after the Molotov cocktails were thrown, reports Helena Smith:
At the top end of square opposite Grande Bretagne it is impossible to cross.
There is a lot of tea gas in the air, and Molotov cocktails lobbed by protesters now burning in the streets.
7.35pm BST
The tourist area in Athens is full of a lot of very bemused looking visitors, kids asking "why does my throat sting" and frustrated shopkeepers saying "now I can't do any business tonight.
7.34pm BST
Apologies, that CNBC Periscope feed has just stopped.
7.32pm BST
More photos from the Athens clashes:
Attempt to set alight media van. Athens clashes, anti-austerity demo . #Greece #mnimonio3 #15jgr pic.twitter.com/p3FsHckyIP
Detention at #Syntagma clashes RT @dikeram II...IIIII pic.twitter.com/GLphOAoN6c
7.31pm BST
Syntagma Square, the site of the Athens parliament, was just ringing to the occasional sound of stun grenades.
The demonstrators (who were peacefully demonstrating a few minutes ago) have scattered, after riot police and a small group of anarchists clashed a few minutes ago.
7.25pm BST
Getting a bit ugly outside Greek Parliament #Greece pic.twitter.com/TEh3mjAeEP
7.22pm BST
The clashes began just as MPs began to debate the bailout plan.
IIII #15jgr #15julgr #syntagma #athens pic.twitter.com/mZBCUNjpev
Clashes in Athens; minor at the moment. Panoramic pic via @KallergisK #greece #agreekment #greekcrisis pic.twitter.com/7jJ0N3dTum
7.20pm BST
The demonstration in Syntagma Square in the centre of Athens has suddenly turned violent.
Motolov cocktails have been let off, and the police are now tear-gassing the crowd, Emma reports.
Tear gas #syntagma pic.twitter.com/WNJg9XO752
coktails molotofs a Syntagma... une image que l'on avait oublie ces derniers mois pic.twitter.com/NFf0Nm7HkK
And there we go. Fireworks now and a bit teargas and the square is full of people fleeing #Syntagma pic.twitter.com/beuiVRolmy
7.19pm BST
Attending tonight's demonstration is Mikalis Simeakis, who used to work as a producer for TV and radio commercials but has been unemployed for nearly four years; he lost two jobs in succession at the start of the crisis.
He tells Emma:
"We feel there has been a coup in our country. Tsipras let down everyone. I didn't vote him but I supported him in the referendum two weeks ago."
"You might not see that many people here, because the government has made people think that no matter what they do nothing will change, but it doesn't mean they want this"
7.16pm BST
Inside parliament, the debate is starting now.
There's a livefeed here with an English translation.
We stream the #Greekment debate in #Greek parliament live w/english interpretation on http://t.co/CihF1INQ1f #Grexit #GreeceCrisis
7.10pm BST
7.08pm BST
Helena Smith is also in the centre of Athens, and reports that there is a "very healthy turnout" at the demo organised by Greece's Pame communist-affiliated union.
They are chanting:
"No to the new memorandum. The wealth belongs to workers"
7.07pm BST
Emma reports from Athens:
The protest tonight seems relatively small, perhaps a few thousand, but police and some protesters appear to have come prepared for clashes.
There is a fairly small group of anarchists in black, many with their faces covered or carrying motorbike helmets, at the heart of the protest, and a much heavier riot police presence around the square than for previous protests I've been to.
7.05pm BST
Here is Melina Kotaki, 71, in front of the Greek parliament with a sign saying "Merkel and Schiuble never again will you fly the Nazi flag on the Acropolis".
"It's an allegorical reference to what happened in the war. We have a government that doesn't understand Germany wants to destroy Europe again"
6.59pm BST
My colleague Emma Graham-Harrison is reporting from tonight's protests:
Evi Linardi, an unemployed French teacher who thinks Greece should leave the EU, told her:
"Our life has changed 100 percent. We see poor people sleeping on our doorsteps, hungry and we don't even have money to help them.
I haven't had the heating for four years in winter because I can't pay the bills.
6.55pm BST
More opposition to the bailout deal in Athens tonight, via Omaira:
"No to privatisations. ERT is just the start " #Greece pic.twitter.com/1Y0xxRav4m
6.48pm BST
Journalist Omaira Gill reports that some of tonight's protesters are ready, in case the riot police fire tear gas (a familiar sight in 2011 and 2012, but not this year)
It's not looking good. This thing might blow up once the vote passes. Lots of young people with makeshift masks, police in gas masks
#Syntagma #Athens #greece pic.twitter.com/bmk7iqszl5
"NO to the lenders. Free Greece from the euro." via @OmairaGill pic.twitter.com/gwH4KJ3AAQ
6.46pm BST
The protest rally, organised by unions who also called a 24-hour strike today, is getting underway now....
Demos start - thousands rallying #Greece pic.twitter.com/IO4CkGT3d0
#syntagma #athens #greece pic.twitter.com/y6gMyvKPG5
6.42pm BST
Nearly six months ago, the centre of Athens was filled with triumphant Syriza supports after Alexis Tsipras was swept to victory, on a promise to end austerity and negotiate a better deal with creditors.
10 days ago, the centre of Athens was filled with triumphant No supporters after Greece gave a loud OXI to its lenders' demands.
Again: Riot police comes with austerity in #Greece no matter what the gov is. pic.twitter.com/Tap4M1ysxO pics by @dromografos
6.37pm BST
Meanwhile Greece's main opposition party, New Democracy, has confirmed in its own parliamentary group meeting this afternoon that it will be supporting the multi-bill in tonight's make or break vote.
"The reforms will definitely be passed but I don't think, even in the best case scenario, we'll be seeing a deal for several months yet. The European Commission is always off for around three weeks in August. There is going to be uncertainty for some time yet."
"If it goes smoothly I believe banks could open quite soon for certain operations such as services to help enterprises, but not for unlimited withdrawals. There is no money for that."
6.34pm BST
The latest word from Athens is that the vote will take place before midnight (or 10pm BST), despite attempts to delay until the morning.
#Syriza Parliament Prez #Konstantopoulou proposed to postpone voting for tomorrow morning, but didn't finally get through.
6.26pm BST
Here's a video clip of Greek deputy finance minister, Nadia Valavani, confirming her resignation - and saying she couldn't support the bailout programme:
6.21pm BST
Reuters has confirmed that Alexis Tsipras warned his MPs that he'd struggle to stay in power without their support (hard to argue with, really!).
"I am prime minister because I have a parliamentary group that supports me. If I do not have its support, it will be difficult to be prime minister the day after."
6.09pm BST
Members of Syriza's youth wing are taking part in the protest outside the Greek parliament tonight:
I IIII^1II pic.twitter.com/rty8OcOur4
6.07pm BST
Riot police are on the streets of Athens tonight, as a group of anti-austerity protesters call on MPs to reject the bailout terms.
Ongoing protest at #syntagma against new bail-out terms ahead of Parliament Plenary. pic by @dromografos pic.twitter.com/9l6ZsT7D4a #Greece
Anarchists (in black) show up in front of #Greece Parliament. Tourists watching changing of the guard don't move. pic.twitter.com/Q5giQro9UD
5.51pm BST
Timing of vote significant: French MPs haven't waited for Greek parliament to pass first raft of measures. #Greece https://t.co/KvkDanrIwy
5.29pm BST
The French national assembly has voted overwhelmingly in favour of starting negotiations for a third Greek bailout programme:
#Latest: #France's Parliament approves #Greece bailout deal by 412-69 votes, 49 abstentions. https://t.co/8qYcKwPFIR
#DirectAN l'Assembli(C)e s'est prononci(C)e POUR l'accord europi(C)en sur #Grece : 412 di(C)puti(C)s ont voti(C) "pour" ; 69 "contre" et 49 se sont abstenus
French Prime Minister Manuel Valls told National Assembly that a third programme for #Greece "is not a blank cheque." (@dpa)
5.27pm BST
Alexis Tsipras has admitted it will be difficult for him to carry on as prime minister if his own MPs fail to back him:
Tsipras to Syriza MPs: If I won't have your support [in tonight's vote] it will be hard for me to remain as PM. #Greece #prioractionsbill
5.21pm BST
Greek banks can only re-open once they've received fresh capital and central bank funding is guaranteed, according to the ECB's Andreas Dombret. Bloomberg reports:
"Firstly, it must be guaranteed that Greek banks will be sufficiently recapitalized within the framework of a new aid program," Dombret said according to the text of a speech in Munich Wednesday released by Germany's Bundesbank, where he's also a member of the board. "Secondly, it must be ensured that there is enough available liquidity, should depositors want to withdraw more money after the opening of the recapitalized banks."
Given that negotiations currently taking place in Brussels over the shape of interim financing for Greece have to be concluded before talks on a third bailout package can begin, Dombret's comments signal that the ECB doesn't think Greek lenders can re-open imminently.
5.17pm BST
The European Commissions assessment of Greece's bailout signalled the possibility of debt relief and also took a less dramatic view than the IMF of the country's debt profile.
According to Reuters, the commission said Greece's debt to GDP ratio would be 150% in 2022 if Athens implemented reforms, compared to the 170% forecast by the IMF.
EU Sources: Germany wants collateral for 7 bn a EFSM credit for #Greece. Future greek EU-budget as collateral. @jandams @MartinGreive
EU Sources: Some Euro-States like Ireland and Belgium backing Germany's wish for colleteral. #Greece @jandams @MartinGreive #Handelsblatt
5.07pm BST
Germany's Green party apparently passed through Athens earlier to "show solidarity" with Greece, says Emma Graham-Harrison. It is rare for German politicians to be welcome in Syntagma at the moment.
"Here to show solidarity with Greeks": German Green Party gives press conference at #Syntagma Square. v @BoeckingD pic.twitter.com/A2Zz2p3gq7
5.00pm BST
Of course it is not just the Greek and German parliaments which must approve the deal:
Some uncertainties re Greece: Bridge loan, Finnish coalition and Dutch governing VVD still to decide whether to support Greek deal tomorrow
Also Belgium will debate the Greek deal in its federal Parliament tomorrow, but will not vote http://t.co/hlwnhNb2Es
4.50pm BST
Investors were reluctant to take any chances as the Greek parliament prepared to vote on the bailout deal reached after the weekend's laborious summits. Better than expected Chinese economic growth and talk by US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen that US rates could well rise this year had little impact on sentiment. So much so the UK's leading index ended the day exactly where it started, a pretty unusual occurrence. although other European markets at least managed to edge a little higher. The final scores showed:
4.40pm BST
Although maybe not:
Some Syriza officials say lenders have given them until 6am to hold vote. go figure https://t.co/1LSKiQNIC4
4.35pm BST
And there may be an earlier than usual finish for the vote, given there is a deadline from Greece's lenders to adhere to:
Greek Int Min says vote in Parl should end before midnight (to be in line w deal w lenders). If so, will be 1st pre-midnight vote in a while
4.33pm BST
A deal on the bridging loan could be on the way, AFP has heard.
EU 28 right now thrashing out Greece short-term loan details, could go to through by written procedure if no hiccup: source
4.30pm BST
Yanis Varoufakis, the former finance minister, is never one to remain in the background. Now he has annotated the Euro summit document with his own thoughts. Here's a flavour of what he thinks of the Terms of Greece's Surrender, as he calls the agreement (his annotations in italics):
Given the need to rebuild trust with Greece, the Euro Summit welcomes the commitments of the Greek authorities to legislate without delay a first set of measures [i.e. Greece must subject itself to fiscal waterboarding, even before any financing is offered]. These measures, taken in full prior agreement with the Institutions, will include:
4.04pm BST
A reminder that the Eurogroup will tomorrow discuss whether Greece has met its commitments after the vote:
#Eurogroup teleconference tomorrow 10am to judge whether #Greece has passed all measures to start bailout talks. Also, bridge financing
3.51pm BST
Here's something to listen to while we wait for the Greek parliamentary vote - our politics weekly podcast discusses the bailout agreement reached earlier this week.
Related: Greece's bailout deal - Politics Weekly podcast
3.36pm BST
More from energy minister Panayiotis Lafazanis who will vote against the bailout plans:
#Greece Energy Min Lafazanis: We support the govt, but we wont vote for the measures of MoU https://t.co/uRsmhC9PDh
3.23pm BST
Here's the embrace between house speaker Zoe Konstantopoulou and Alexis Tsipras which our correspondent Helena Smith referred to earlier.
II II^1II III... IIIIII^1IIII^1IfI1/4II, II II^1II III... ITMIIII I(R) II II^1II III IfII(R)II^1I3/4II; IIIII^3IIIII III... I^3IIIII^1 I^1IfIIIII.. #vouli pic.twitter.com/PGHsAoeRne
3.12pm BST
The European Central Bank meets today and tomorrow, and the question of emergency liquidity assistance to Greece's beleaguered banks is likely to be high on the agenda.
But no decision on the ELA will be made until tomorrow, reports Bloomberg, once the outcome of the Greek parliamentary vote is known. Bloomberg says:
The European Central Bank is awaiting a midnight signal from the Greek parliament before it can grant fresh liquidity to keep the country's lenders alive.
At its regular two-day meeting in Frankfurt starting Wednesday, the Governing Council will discuss a Greek banking system that is in limbo after more than two weeks of closure and capital controls, and which the European Commission says is close to collapse. A decision on the level of Emergency Liquidity Assistance for lenders is planned for Thursday, a person familiar with the matter said.
3.05pm BST
As well as Athens and Germany, there are protests planned in Barcelona too:
Solidarity with #Greece protest in #Bareclona today. "NO to Troika". #oxi #mnimonio3 via @PConstituent pic.twitter.com/n7wAEgQcz7
2.40pm BST
Alexis Tsipras has, it appears, thrown the gauntlet to his own parliamentary group, reports our correspondent Helena Smith.
Addressing MPs ahead of tonight's crucial vote, the prime minister said: "Whoever has an alternative [solution] should come and tell me."
2.29pm BST
More intrigue:
In Facebook post, alternate FinMin #Mardas slams Energy Min #Lafazanis and SYRIZA's pro-drachma camp, says they are "lost in space" #Greece
#Greece: Varoufakis "chat" w/ #Syriza's left platform leader in Parliament raises questions. Rebellion or diplomacy? https://t.co/F4UHl2SMhn
I- III^1IfIIII(R) IIIIIIIIfII I1/4II... III II IIIfI III... IIII^1III IIII1/4I1/4IIII IIII...II^3IIII... II^1IIIII1/4III: pic.twitter.com/tQTjXiAhhX
2.12pm BST
Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy has said he will present the details of latest Greek bailout to Spanish parliament in order to seek approval for the country's multi-billion euro contribution, writes Ashifa Kassam.
"Although this step is not obligatory in our country, it is my intention to bring the deal before parliament for debate and possible approval... because it is a big sum that Spanish taxpayers are being asked to guarantee," Rajoy told the lower house of parliament on Wednesday.
2.03pm BST
A positive sign for the chances of the deal passing in the Greek parliament later:
#Greek bailout jumps first hurdle. Parliamentary committees pass deal
1.55pm BST
#Syriza parliamentary group now meeting behind closed doors. #Vouli
1.40pm BST
Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen has said if the US economy continues to recover as expected, interest rates are likely to rise some time this year.
But in a long speech to Congress, she (briefly) mentions Greece as one of the possible problems which could affect the US economy:
Foreign developments, in particular, pose some risks to U.S. growth. Most notably, although the recovery in the euro area appears to have gained a firmer footing, the situation in Greece remains difficult. And China continues to grapple with the challenges posed by high debt, weak property markets, and volatile financial conditions.
1.22pm BST
Germany believes extending maturities for Greek debt to 30 years or so is an option as long as it does not "significantly" reduce the value of the debt, Reuters is reporting.
German finance ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger said:
That is certainly an element that one can consider, but it will not be the solution if it leads to a significant reduction in the cash value (of the debt) as then we would in the end have nothing other than a debt haircut via the back door.
1.12pm BST
Another resignation:
FinMin secretary general Manos #Manousakis has resigned #Greece
SYRIZA MP Rachil #Makri: no way I'll vote yes to such a despicable agreement #Greece
1.07pm BST
Earlier EC vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis gave a breakdown of the a35bn in EU funds available to Greece under the proposed deal to help job creation and economic growth:
...The Commission, responding to the request from the Greek authorities, has proposed to the Council to grant short-term emergency assistance, up to 3 months, from the EFSM and to build the bridge needed until the ESM programme is in place.
The EFSM loans would then be repaid with the money from the ESM disbursements.
12.53pm BST
Reportedly only around 15 of the Syriza central committee nay-sayers (who now amount to 109 according to the rednotebook link in the tweet below) are MPs. Even so, they are clearly not happy.
108 Iut of the 201 members of the Central Committee of #Syriza reject a new MoU, refer to 12 July as a 'coup' day. http://t.co/ThFLsgYGqM
@GreekAnalyst Less than 15 from those 108 are members of the Parliament.
12.48pm BST
A reminder, that 201 Syriza commitee members is not the same as the number of MPs. Here is our analysis from yesterday on the Greek parliament:
Related: Athens parliament: where do MPs stand over the Greek bailout deal?
12.43pm BST
More signs of possible trouble for Alexis Tsipras successfully getting the debt deal agreed by the Greek parliament:
107 out of 201 Syriza central committee members publish declaration condemning Tsipras' agreement with Eurozone. Now it's getting serious.
12.35pm BST
And the first part of the parliamentary process is over:
#Greece parl committees debate on prior actions bill is concluded. Plenary session in 3-4 hours.
12.25pm BST
Former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis has been speaking in the Greek parliament and he is not happy.
Varoufakis now on Parliament: Everything depends on debt restructure; unfortunately this will be after new program's failure #mnimonio3
Former finmin #Varoufakis in Parliament: we are here because the negotiations failed #Greece
#Varoufakis on Greek deal: What we now have in front of us is a new Versailles treaty #Greece #greekment
#Varoufakis is speaking in the parliament, keep referring to Schaeuble as "Dr. Schaeuble" and stressing the "Dr." part. Well, that's new!
He didn't @damomac So is #Varoufakis a Yes or a No? #vouli Did he spit it out?
12.14pm BST
The UK prime minister has said the IMF is right to call for debt relief for Greece. At prime minister's question time, David Cameron said:
The principle that there must be debt relief is right. It is in the UK's interest for the eurozone to resolve how it conducts itself. They need to resolve these issues, and quite fast.
Related: Cameron and Harman at PMQs - Politics live
12.12pm BST
It's official. Nadia Valavani, deputy finance minister, has resigned from Alexis Tsipras's government just hours before the parliament votes on the bailout package.
The solution imposed today in such a depressing way is not sustainable for the Greek people and for the country.
#Greece update: DepFinMin #Valavani resigns. "Agreement is a tombstone", "humiliation of govt and country". Letter pic.twitter.com/N2CmkQzbpO
11.54am BST
Opposition to the bailout in Germany is growing, according to the Bild newspaper, especially among Angela Merkel's CDU and CSU MPs.
In a report headlined "Now let US say Oxi"* it quotes a member of the CDU/CSU saying they expected some 50 votes against. It also speaks to a number of MPs who are against the deal.
11.53am BST
Even if a bridging loan is agreed, it won't cover all Greece's funding needs.
EFSM help for #Greece will be a7bn, short of a12bn needed this next 4 weeks, rest depends on speed of agreeing bailout.
11.46am BST
The 7bn euro EFSM loan for #Greece is up to 3 months says @VDombrovskis. #Greekment
11.46am BST
Back in Brussels, the Commission has confirmed that it is pushing for Greece's bridging loan to come from the EFSM:
European commission confirms #efsm programme because of "obvious absence of any other solution," says dombrovskis, I.e no bilateral loans.
11.41am BST
Back in Athens, deputy finance minister Nadia Valavani has resigned.
According to reports, Valavani told Tsipras early on Monday that she couldn't accept the terms of the bailout.
11.31am BST
George Osborne has demanded that eurozone countries indemnify the Treasury against any losses if Britain is forced to contribute to the a7bn bridging loan for crisis-hit Greece.
As explained earlier, the Commission plans to tap the EU-wide bailout mechanism, the European Financial Stability Mechanism, to meet part of the cost of the bridging loan, putting the UK on the hook for just over 15% of the cost.
"this would be strengthening that promise, by giving it legal form".
11.22am BST
Our data editor Alberto Nardelli has drawn out the key points from the IMF's latest Greek debt sustainability analysis:
Related: The IMF position on Greece - explained
11.06am BST
Protesters are marching in Athens against the new austerity measures which parliament will vote on tonight.
The main public sector union ADEDY has also called a 24-hour strike today, to urge MPs not to back this third bailout:
Ongoing protest at #syntagma: banner: "My pension is 201a. #Greece is hungry, you scums. We can't sleep anymore" pic.twitter.com/gIEOwZC80I
Riot police standing by in Syntagma Square as protestors gather #Greece #GreeceCrisis pic.twitter.com/IhjMeLcnT1
10.46am BST
The European Commission is on a collision course with non-eurozone EU members, after proposing giving Greece a a7bn bridge loan to cover its financial obligations this month.
A document seen by Reuters shows that the money would come from the EU-wide European Financial Stability Mechanism (EFSM), despite strong lobbying yesterday by several countries including Britain.
@EU_Commission : the provision of EU assistance to Greece under the #EFSM would safeguard financial stability in the Union and in the a-area
Sounds like #UK may be backing down on using EFSM for #Greece bridge financing if #eurozone provides some sort of collateral/guarantee.
10.32am BST
Last night, German finance minister Wolfgang Schiuble cast doubt on German commitment to the Greek deal by saying he still believed in his temporary Grexit plan and claiming many in the German government shared his view.
The embattled minister told journalists after a meeting of EU finance ministers in Brussels on Tuesday night that:
"There are a lot of people, also in the German government, who are fairly convinced that in the interests of Greece and the Greek people the [Grexit plan] would be the better option."
"The deal agreed at the weekend ultimately applies to the whole government."
"on the side of all in Europe who fear a German Europe, who don't want a German government of oppression on their doorsteps, in their neighbourhoods, in their parliaments."
10.14am BST
The Greek parliamentary speaker, Zoe Konstantopoulou, has urged MPs to stand up and show defiance against the country's lenders.
She told today's debate that:
"Via blackmail that is directed at the prime minister, the government and the parliament, they are aiming to realise policies that the prime minister - who I respect greatly "has himself [opposed].
Parliament should not complete this blackmail, it should not accept the blackmail being directed at the government."
New Hero of Greek Democracy President of GR parlament Zoe Konstantopoulou NO TO BLACKMAIL OF #Merkel #ThisIsACoup pic.twitter.com/Ko7lqL3gCi
10.00am BST
Euclid Tsakalotos, Greece's new-ish finance minister, has opened the debate in Athens.
He didn't sugar the pill, telling MPs that many of the measures in the bailout bill will be recessionary.
"It's a difficult deal, a deal for which only time will show if it is economically viable."
Greek FM #Tsakalotos: It's a tough deal - Only time will tell if it is economically viable #Greece #greekment
9.38am BST
Greece's immediate future will rest on whether Alexis Tsipras, the embattled prime minister, can manage to persuade enough MPs to swallow the bitter pill of austerity and give their backing to reforms that even he has no belief in.
Failure to keep defections below 40 (and the number of mutinous MPs appears to be growing) could trigger unforeseen events. "It is absolutely essential that defections are kept below 40," said the prominent political commentator Alexis Papahelas.
"The agreement is a provisional set-back that at some point will be re-negotiated, it is a bid for time."
"For us, unity is what is needed to confront every difficulty and I want to believe that it will in the immediate future."
9.27am BST
The debate is underway in the Athens Parliament -- it's being streamed live here.
9.26am BST
Despite George Osborne's best efforts, it appears that UK taxpayers could help fund a bridging loan to Greece.
The FT's Peter Spiegel reports that the Commission has formally proposed using the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism - funded by all 28 EU members - to fund Greece's immediate funding needs.
#EU official: @EU_Commission has sent formal plan to use #EU-wide EFSM for #Greece bridge financing needs. Can #UK garner allies to block?
9.16am BST
The International Monetary Fund's new debt sustainability analysis has been warmly welcomed in Paris.
"The IMF is saying the same thing as we are ... we cannot help Greece if we maintain the same debt reimbursement burden on the Greek economy."
8.59am BST
The Greek finance ministry has extended the country's bank holiday again, until close of business on Thursday.
In reality, they'll stay shut until the ECB provides more emergency liquidity.
8.52am BST
Protests are taking place in Thessaloniki this morning, against the bailout measures which the Athens parliament will vote on tonight.
"1st memorandum, 2nd memorandum, 3rd memorandum, we bled enough, we paid enough.
People take the matters in your own hands, blockade to the new measures and perpetual memorandums".
8.44am BST
Thessaloniki was the city where Syriza formally promised last September to end austerity if elected, in a manifesto known as the Thessaloniki programme.
Today the city's Syriza activists are wondering what happened to it, and whether or not they should stand by their leader.
"We must remain - to bring Syriza back to our side. If we lose the internal battle, then we should leave. But not before."
"This memorandum is incompatible with a party of the left. I think new elections should happen and we will have a new party."
"But they don't want Grexit and they want Syriza to continue because they trust them to manage things better than the neo-liberals."
"It would be better not to go to election but for Tsipras to reshuffle the government. Throw out the neoliberal people who have a negative effect on the prime minister, and have a government of the pure left."
8.37am BST
Greece's deputy PM, Yannis Dragasakis, has credited Washington with helping to get an agreement with creditors which includes a commitment to consider debt relief:
Speaking before tonight's vote, Dragasakis said:
"I have to publicly thank the U.S. government and Mr.(President Barack) Obama as without their help and persistence that the deal has to include the debt issue and development horizon we might have not succeeded,"
*DRAGASAKIS SAYS AGREEMENT WASN'T A DEFEAT FOR GREECE
8.14am BST
Economists don't agree on much, but there's a strong consensus that the Greek bailout plan is badly flawed:
Noone thinks the Greek prog will stay on track. Not IMF, not Tsipras, not Schai1/4ble, not anyone. They must all love Brussels nights.
Economic reality, highlighted by #IMF, collides with political reality in #Germany. Now Greek voters know they've been offered a bandaid
8.11am BST
The deal that no one believed in Tsipras: 'bad agreement' Schiuble: 'many' would prefer Grexit IMF: doubts Greece or Europe will do enough
8.10am BST
The IMF's incendiary new debt sustainability analysis was sent to EU authorities at the weekend.
That means that the main players should have been fully briefed when they signed off on the Greek plan. So either they were wilfully obtuse, or they believe the debt relief issue can be tackled.
Two points on IMF's Greek DSA: eurozone had it at weekend but still did deal; Germany et al insisted on IMF continued involvement.
More to the point that this IMF DSA is no insurmountable obstacle imo. https://t.co/FN8J16jEEG
8.04am BST
Marina Prentoulis, Syriza's representative in the UK, has welcomed the IMF's warning yesterday that Greece needs deep debt relief, much more than Europe has admitted.
Interviewed on Radio 4's Today programme, she pointed out that Alexis Tsipras had been calling for debt relief for months.
All the time, the other side... they don't want to discuss the debt. They still don't want to discuss the debt. We know it's urgent that someone will take care of that. I'm very sorry not only for Greece but the European Union and the eurozone and somebody has to react."
"I think so. We have to remember that for these measures that we are discussing... the IMF will be part of that. They have to agree, still. There are still negotiations going on.
We see a split between the IMF and the European Union. We hope the people of Europe will realise what games they have been playing in the case of Greece and Europe as well. They have been [effectively] lying to us, all the people of Europe, all this time."
We hope this is going to happen."
7.57am BST
Good morning, and welcome to our rolling coverage of the Greek crisis.
There are two things in the world you never want to let people see how you make 'em - laws and sausages.
#IMF threatens to walk away from Greek bailout deal on concerns debt not sustainable http://t.co/HwdUo4lN3z via @welt pic.twitter.com/rwE0HKElfc
Got copy of #IMF DSA update. To me, most interesting thing not lines on debt relief. Tone sends signal they want out of #Greece completely
Today sees the Greek parliamentary vote with proposals to be debated at committee level at 0800BST and at Greek parliamentary at 1200BST
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