Greek parliament approves debt deal and first reforms

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras delivers his speech as he attends a parliamentary session in Athens, Greece July 16, 2015. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras battled to win lawmakers' approval on Wednesday for a bailout deal to keep Greece in the euro, while the country's creditors, pressed by the IMF to provide massive debt relief, struggled to agree a financial lifeline. [Photo/Agencies]

ATHENS - Greek parliament approved on early Thursday an omnibus draft bill ratifying the debt deal the government reached with creditors on Monday and the first round of reforms requested as prerequisites for the immediate release of international aid to avert imminent default and Grexit.

The plenum passed the bill that paves the way for the finalization of the Greek third bailout and introduces a first set of taxation and pension system reforms, with 229 votes in favor out of 299 MPs taking part in the roll call vote. On the other hand, 64 deputies in the 300-member strong chamber voted against the bill and six lawmakers abstained.