Greek parliament

Greek parliament approves controversial austerity measures amid violent protests

The unpopular measures were adopted thanks to the slim parliamentary majority held by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' coalition government — the main New Democracy opposition party voted against the austerity package.

Earlier outside parliament, Greek riot police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators throwing Molotov cocktails to protest against the reforms.

Greek television showed police firing volleys of tear gas in response to projectiles lobbed by masked youths during the demonstration, which attracted about 10,000 people.

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It's the latest in a series of peaceful protests organized in recent days by demonstrators friendly to the government's anti-austerity agenda as well as supporters of the country's future within the currency and political union.

Attendees have included, respectively, cabinet ministers and opposition lawmakers.

A rally against public spending cuts on Sunday drew 7,000, about average for such protests.