Greek lawmakers pass second reform package

Greece’s parliament has passed a second raft of reforms required for bailout negotiations to begin.

The bill containing judicial and banking reforms easily passed with the support of 230 lawmakers in the 300 seat chamber.

Before the vote Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras urged rebels within his own Syriza party to support the reforms:

“Speaking for myself, I do not plan on voluntarily leaving this fort. We will not be cowardly, we will not be the ones to throw down our shields, nor will we be apologists for lost battles. Lost battles are battles that were never fought in the first place, “ Prime Minister Tsipras told parliament.

Greek PM Alexis Tsipras keeps lid on party rebellion to pass bailout vote | http://t.co/A2OriD5dw0 pic.twitter.com/tthm7UpG5j— The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) July 23, 2015

But 36 out of 149 Syriza deputies still voted against or abstained – a slightly smaller rebellion than last week, but it meant Tsipras had to rely on the opposition to get the