Greek bailout talks go all night as Tsipras battles Syriza dissent

Thirteen Syriza MPs this week said they would form a rival anti-bailout movement

Euclid Tsakalotos during the all-night talks in Athens (Reuters)

Greek MPs are continuing a debate in parliament to approve a massive new bailout deal after repeated delays over procedure and dissent within the governing left-wing Syriza party caused the session to last through the night.

The draft deal for the 85 billion euro (£61bn) package was to be voted at about 8:30 am (0530GMT) — hours before finance ministers from the eurozone were to meet in Brussels to study the agreement.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras will have to rely on support from opposition parties to gain approval for the measures that add to sweeping new austerity measures demanded for the new three-year programme.

Thirteen Syriza MPs this week said they would form a rival anti-bailout movement.

Dissenters in his own party angrily challenged the government, accusing it of reneging on promises it made before winning elections last January.

AP