11 November 2012 Last updated at 18:06 ET
Greek lawmakers have approved a 2013 budget involving fresh spending cuts, despite mass public street protests.
The budget was backed in by 167 votes to 128. The bill was a pre-condition for Athens to be granted a 31.5bn euro (£25bn; $ 40bn) EU/IMF loan necessary to stave off bankruptcy.
Another austerity package of tax rises and pension cuts was passed last week.
Ahead of the vote, more than 10,000 protesters rallied outside the parliament in the capital, Athens.
Prime Minister Antonis Samaras earlier warned that without the new loan, Greece would start running out of money on Friday.
Eurozone finance ministers are due to meet just hours after the vote in Athens, and Mr Samaras is now expected to travel to Brussels for a series of meetings.
The problem that he faces is that it could take some weeks before the EU backs the new instalment, BBC Athens correspondent Mark Lowen reports. The measure will have to be approved first by some parliaments, including Germany’s.
BBC News – Business
Greek lawmakers back fresh cuts
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Greek lawmakers back fresh cuts
