Greek lawmakers uphold Tsipras's painful reforms package as creditors send positive signals

Greek MPs have approved Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras's painful economic reforms package to secure a new bailout as Greece's international creditors send positive signals.

Nevertheless, the voting did not go down without any drama as Tsipras faced humiliating opposition from his own leftist Syriza party.

While some fellow party members voted against the package, a few others abstained. The abstentions included three senior government figures among whom were former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis. The voting took place after a late-night debate in the Greek parliament.

Tsipras, who came to power riding a wave of strong anti-austerity sentiments, had earlier admitted that some of the proposals went against his promises.

The approval by 251 lawmakers, including the opposition and pro-European members, is likely to form the basis of a fresh bailout which may be worth tens of billions of euros. The proposals include tax increases, pension overhaul and privatisations.

Tsipras released a short statement in the early hours of Saturday, 11 July, saying the government has a strong mandate to negotiate with its creditors.

"The parliament today gave the government a strong mandate to complete the negotiations and reach an economically viable and socially fair agreement with the partners. The priority now is to have a positive outcome to the negotiations. Everything else in its own time," said Tsipras.

The MPs' vote has come just before eurozone finance ministers are set to meet. The proposals have already got the initial green signal from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

A source familiar with the EU and IMF team studying the proposals has told Reuters that the creditors have given an initial nod to the suggestions. EU leaders will hold a summit on Sunday, 12 July.