ATHENS, Greece (AP) A deputy with the governing Socialists has told The Associated Press he will definitely vote against a critical austerity bill in Parliament, but that he will likely be the only deputy in the party to do so.
The comments from Alexandros Athanassiadis indicate the bill will pass Wednesday’s crucial vote.
Athanassiadis said he had not changed his opinion in voting against, but that he did not believe other Socialists would also refuse to back the bill. “I will be the only one,” he said.
Approval is essential for Greece’s international creditors to disburse funds from a bailout package that will prevent a default next month. The Socialists have a majority of five seats in the 300-member Parliament, and the bill needs 151 votes to pass.
