Government approves pending prior actions with eye on aid

The government approved a clutch of pending prior actions in Parliament Friday with all 153 of the coalition's MPs backing the reforms in a bid to avoid any unpleasant surprises at a Eurogroup meeting planned for June 15.

The measures - which include a freeze on pensions until 2022 and the restriction of the rights of private sector workers - were tagged onto a separate bill on European fishing regulations in the Mediterranean.

It was an apparent bid by the government to minimize protests over the measures. But the tactic added to vehement debate in the House. It also fueled angry protests outside with members of the Communist-affiliated union PAME throwing boxes of sardines in the area in front of Parliament.

The bill passed into law with the support of the 153 MPs of SYRIZA and Independent Greeks, with 84 lawmakers voting against it and 63 absences.
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