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Greek Parliament approves austerity cuts amid protests

Posted at 6:44 PM, Nov 07, 2012
and last updated 2012-11-07 18:56:24-05

By Elinda Labropoulou and Laura Smith-Spark, CNN

ATHENS, Greece (CNN) – The Greek parliament early Thursday narrowly adopted a new round of austerity cuts that are required for Greece to receive the next installment of a crucial international economic bailout.

The final tally in the 300-member parliament was 153 votes in favor of the cuts and 128 opposed, with 18 abstentions.

The cuts have provoked ire among Greeks furious about the effects of multiple rounds of belt-tightening, which have resulted in cuts to pensions and pay and seen unemployment soar to more than 25%.

It is Greece’s fifth year of recession.