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Greece's new government wins confidence vote ahead of next bailout review

Xinhua, October 8, 2015 Adjust font size:

Greece's new left-wing government that was formed after the Sept. 20 snap general elections won a confidence vote from the parliament on early Thursday, pledging swift action to implement the third bailout program.

The ruling coalition of the Radical Left SYRIZA party of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras with the Right-wing Independent Greeks party faced no surprises and won 155 votes during the roll call vote. The two partners control 155 seats in the 300-member strong assembly.

A total of 144 legislators voted against with 299 present in the process.

The confidence vote was held ahead of the start of the next review of the bailout that was agreed with Greece's international lenders that should be concluded in coming weeks.

A positive result was expected to clear the way for the recapitalization of the Greek banking sector by the end of this year as well as the launch of talks on debt relief.

Both issues were considered crucial in overall efforts to ensure the sustainability of the Greek debt load and kick start the ailing economy to overcome the six-year debt crisis.

"Our timetable is bold, but with precise targets. Our first goal is to conclude the first assessment of the program in November," Tsipras said addressing the parliament shortly before the vote.

The first round of prior actions requested by lenders for the forthcoming review to unlock the first 2-billion-euro aid tranche will be ratified by the assembly by Oct. 15, government spokeswoman Olga Gerovassilis told local media earlier on Wednesday. Endi