ATHENS, GREECE -
Greece's parliament has approved an austerity and debt-relief bill, crucial for the country to avoid bankruptcy and remain in the eurozone.
Lawmakers voted early Monday in favor of the bill that imposes harsh new austerity measures in return for a euro130 billion ($171 billion) new bailout agreement and related deal with private creditors to shave euro100 billion ($132 billion) off the country's national debt.
The vote occurred after extensive rioting and looting swept through the Greek capital.
Deputies expelled
Greece's coalition government has expelled 43 deputies from its ranks in parliament, over dissent in a crucial debt vote.
The Socialists and conservatives expelled 22 and 21 lawmakers, respectively, from their parliamentary groups early Monday, reducing their majority in the 300-seat parliament from 236 to 193.
The vote is considered crucial for Greece to secure multibillion rescue packages and avoid bankruptcy next month.
A third coalition partner, the rightist LAOS party, effectively withdrew from the government Friday after its leader publicly opposed the deal.
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