Greek MPs endorse austerity measures to clinch third bailout deal with Eurozone

Greece's parliament has voted overwhelmingly to accept the 'draconian' austerity measures demanded by creditors as the price for seeking a fresh bailout package.

However, the win came at a great personal cost to Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras as 40 MPs from the embattled leader's radical leftist Syriza party denounced the measures. A total of 229 lawmakers voted in favour of the austerity bill as opposed to 64, who voted against it. Six MPs abstained from voting, reported The Guardian.

The new measures were backed by pro-European opposition parties, including the former ruling party New Democracy as well as the ruling Syriza party's coalition partners and the rightwing Independent Greeks.

Vangelis Meimarakis, interim leader of the conservative main opposition New Democracy party, said that the country's parliament had sent the message it had to send to Europe.

However, the outcome is expected to significantly weaken Tsipras as his ruling Syriza-dominated two-party coalition will struggle to enforce the pension cuts and VAT increases outlined in the deal or implement any other legislation outside.

After an economic turmoil, the chances of Greece plunging into a political turmoil have been heightened by speculation that Tsipras may be forced to call early elections after an expected cabinet reshuffle on Thursday.

Meanwhile, sporadic violence erupted in central Athens as riot police fired teargas and fought running battles with anti-austerity protesters armed with molotov cocktails.

Thousands of demonstrators took part in a series of otherwise peaceful protest marches against the deep austerity cuts demanded by creditors.