Greek lawmakers split over reforms

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras leaving his office after a day of political consultations in Athens on July 14. PHOTO: AFP

ATHENS • Lawmakers from the Greek ruling Syriza party and their allies argued behind closed doors yesterday about whether to back sweeping reforms the government must ram through Parliament as it races to meet the terms of an unpopular bailout deal.

With much of the party up in arms, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' loyalists were hard at work to convince a sceptical party that the tough cuts could be softened through alternative measures.

It was a spectacular turnaround for a party voted into power in January promising to end years of cuts and recession in a country where a quarter of its people are unemployed.

Mr Tsipras will probably have to sack some hardline ministers and count on opposition lawmakers to pass the reforms, which could be clubbed together in one Bill today. The Premier may also have a Cabinet reshuffle, Economy Minister George Stathakis said.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 15, 2015, with the headline Greek lawmakers split over reforms. Subscribe