German Parliament backs Greek bailout with large majority

Berlin

THE German Parliament voted by an overwhelming majority on Wednesday to back a third bailout for Greece, with Chancellor Angela Merkel spared a major rebellion of deputies opposing the aid.

Interrupting their holidays for the second time this summer to cast ballots on a Greek rescue, lawmakers in the Bundestag Lower House approved the 86 billion euro (S$133 billion) rescue by 454 votes to 113.

Eighteen abstained, and attendance was markedly lower than during a vote last month approving the start of negotiations on the package.

While the approval was virtually guara…