Greek prime minister wins bailout 'but could be faced with rebellion'

Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras has cleared one of the last hurdles standing in the way of finalising the bailout deal, as parliament voted to approve the country's third financial rescue package early Friday (August 14th) morning. 

It was no plain sailing for the prime minister, as politicians spent the evening arguing over the deal and procedural matters. Mr Tsipras has even come under fire from his own party, with many commentators believing he could now face a rebellion from Syriza.

The prime minister had to rely on opposition support to get the €85 billion bailout programme approved, which saw it passing easily through parliament at 222 votes in the 300-seat chamber.

Some 43 lawmakers - almost a third of deputies from the Syriza party - voted against it or abstained, suggesting that Mr Tsipras political problems are far from over.  He will call a confidence vote after Greece hands over a €3.2 billion debt repayment to the European Central Bank (ECB) on August 20th.

Makis Voridis, a senior lawmaker from the opposition New Democracy party, revealed that his party will not vote in favour of the current government, which raised the odds of the Mr Tsipras will be ousted. 

Before this morning's vote, the prime minister attempted to defend his decision to accept a bailout programme - which comes with tax hikes, spending cuts and strict economic reforms - saying the aid was the difference between "staying alive or suicide". 

He said: "I do not regret my decision to compromise. We are not exulting but we are also not mourning over this difficult agreement. 

"I have my conscience clear that it is the best we could achieve under the current balance of power in Europe, under conditions of economic and financial asphyxiation imposed upon us."

Today, eurozone finance ministers will meet and are expected to add their seal of approval to the vital aid package that Greek needs to be able to avoid financial ruin and a potential Grexit.