Greek MPs pass austerity bill

Greek MPs have approved an austerity bill required to enable a eurozone bailout deal, with new legislation that includes raising taxes and increasing the retirement age.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said that while he did not believe in the "irrational" proposals, he urged MPs to accept the measures in order to prevent the collapse of banks, the BBC reports. Several members of the ruling Syriza party either voted no or walked out before the vote, including speaker Zoe Constantopoulo, who later returned and called it a "very black day for democracy in Europe." The bill was backed by the former ruling party, New Democracy, and the right wing Independent Greeks.

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