Cyprus parliament approves bailout

Cyprus' lawmakers approved today a multi-billion bailout agreement with international creditors aimed at preventing the crisis-hit country from going bankrupt.
The agreement was passed in the 56-seat parliament as expected with 29 votes in favour and 27 against. Cyprus struck the 23 billion euro (USD 30 billion) deal with its euro partners and the International Monetary Fund last month.
Voting in favour were the ruling center-right Democratic Rally party and its ally, the Democratic party, which together hold exactly half the seats. Casting the deciding vote was right-wing European Party leader Demetris Syllouris.
"If there was another realistic alternative, our decision would surely be different. Unfortunately, we have no other choice," said Democratic party leader Marios Garoyian.

The communist AKEL and socialist EDEK parties voted against the deal they said undermines the country's sovereignty and leads to social misery.
"Our vote cannot be positive to the prospect of national, state and economic subjugation," said Parliamentary Speaker and EDEK leader Yiannakis Omirou.

The government had warned the agreement's rejection would mean the country's economic collapse and possible exit from the euro, which is used by 17 European Union countries.
Government spokesman Christos Stylianides hailed the vote as a decision of "responsibility" that underscores the country's determination to deal with an "unprecedented economic crisis."
Stylianides said in a written statement that the government will dedicate itself to implementing the terms of the bailout agreement and to keep the country in the eurozone and the EU. He urged all party leaders, whether they voted for or against the deal, to rally around the government.

"Above all is Cyprus' salvation," he said.
But anger still lingers over the deal's terms, which include forcing depositors to take major losses on savings over 100,000 euros in the country's two biggest lenders. Second-largest lender Laiki, which was worst affected by its exposure to toxic Greek debt and loans, is being wound down and folded into the bigger Bank of Cyprus.
Cyprus' creditors had insisted on depositors taking a hit in exchange for a 10 billion euro loan. Another condition was for the country to scrounge up the other 13 billion.
Adding to the frustration among local businesses and ordinary Cypriots are a string of capital controls such as a 300-euro daily withdrawal limit that authorities imposed last month to prevent a run on banks.

Hundreds of protestors gathered outside parliament for an anti-bailout demonstration called by left-wing trade unions and organisations. Demonstrators held aloft banners reading "No, this homeland not for sale.