Greek Government Defends Bailout Deal Ahead of Vote

The Greek government defended its new bailout program as tough but essential to avoid the nation’s financial collapse

A general view shows a debate of Greek parliament commissions prior to a plenary session in Athens on August 13, 2015. Louisa Gouliamaki /AFP/Getty Images

ATHENS, Greece—The Greek government defended its new bailout program as tough but essential to avoid the nation’s financial collapse, as it faced a rebellion in parliament ahead of a vote on the deal later in the day.

The draft bill for the three-year rescue package worth about 85 billion euros ($93 billion) in loans includes harsh spending cuts and tax hikes that Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has said he has no option but to implement.

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