Reluctant Tsipras fights to pass reforms in Greek parliament

15-Jul (Reuters) — Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras fought to contain a backlash from his own leftwing party on Wednesday as parliament prepared to vote on a sweeping austerity package European partners have demanded for a new bailout to keep Greece in the euro.

The ruling Syriza party, elected in January on an anti-austerity platform, has been deeply split by the bailout deal that a reluctant Tsipras was forced to accept after gruelling negotiations in Brussels this week.

More than half of the party’s 201-member central committee, signed a statement rejecting the “humiliating” terms of the bailout, saying it was not compatible with the principles of the left. “This proposal cannot be accepted by the people of Syriza,” they said.

With pro-European opposition parties set to back the bailout, the measures are expected to pass some time after midnight. But around 30-40 Syriza lawmakers are likely either to abstain or vote against the government, raising a question mark over how long Tsipras can remain in office.

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PG View: Meanwhile, rioting has broken-out in Athens.