Tsipras May Call Confidence Vote Amid Syriza Schism Over Greek Bailout Deal

The Greek prime minister is likely to call a confidence vote in response to opposition within the ruling left-wing Syriza party to the country's third bailout deal, Greek Energy Minister Panos Skourletis said Monday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — On Friday, the Greek parliament approved austerity measures to be implemented in exchange for a new bailout package from the country's international creditors following a night-long parliamentary session. Some 42 lawmakers from Syriza abstained or voted against the deal.

The possibility of the government holding a vote of confidence was "obvious," Skourletis said on SKAI Television. He also stressed that early elections were likely should the vote go against Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

On July 13, Eurozone leaders reached a preliminary agreement on a $95-billion financial aid package to be given to Greece over the next three years in exchange for economic reforms.

Tsipras subsequently reshuffled his cabinet, firing ministers who opposed the austerity deal.

Greece owes more than $270 billion to its main international creditors — the International Monetary Fund, the European Central Bank and the eurozone nations.