More than 40 buildings set alight in capital as austerity plan is voted in despite fierce opposition
From the Guardian
It is a night that will be remembered for burning buildings and scenes of mayhem in Athens while politicians passed the controversial rescue programme aimed at averting Greece's economic collapse.
As more than 40 buildings went up in flames, including two historic cinemas and several banks, Athens city centre was left resembling a war zone with cafes and shops smashed and looted as MPs backed the austerity measures by 199 votes to 74 in the single most important ballot in modern Greek history.
The chaos dominated one of the stormiest debates seen in the Greek parliament as MPs argued over a raft of strict measures demanded in return for international aid. Clashes were also reported in Thessaloniki, Patras, Corfu and Crete.
Foreign lenders have demanded that in addition to the €3.3bn cuts outlined in the package Greece also provides evidence of €325m in extra savings by next week. The leaders of the two main parties backing Papademos's interim coalition government have also been asked to give written guarantees of their commitment.
The government's junior party, the populist far-right Loas, broke ranks on Friday, refusing to support the belt-tightening.
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