MOSCOW (Sputnik) – The German parliament, the Bundestag, on Friday showed its support in a majority vote to begin talks with Greece on a new, third financial aid package.
The German Finance Ministry requested the Bundestag permission to provide Greece with financial aid from the European Stabilization Mechanism (ESM) and to begin negotiations.
Out of the 598 lawmakers voting, 439 supported the motion, while 119 were opposed. Another 40 abstained.
On Monday, the eurozone leaders reached an agreement on the third bailout package for Greece, estimated at $95 billion over the next three years. Under the deal, the Greek government must implement unpopular austerity measures in exchange for cash.
To unlock the new bailout for Greece, several eurozone countries’ parliaments, including German, must vote in favor of the agreement.
