World
Greek coalition expels 43 deputies on debt dissent
Posted: Feb 12, 2012 11:10 AM
Updated: Feb 12, 2012 4:48 PM
ATHENS, Greece (AP) Greece's coalition government has expelled 43 deputies from its ranks in parliament, over dissent in a crucial debt vote.
The Socialists and conservatives expelled 22 and 21 lawmakers, respectively, from their parliamentary groups early Monday, reducing their majority in the 300-seat parliament from 236 to 193.
The vote is considered crucial for Greece to secure multibillion rescue packages and avoid bankruptcy next month.
A third coalition partner, the rightist LAOS party, effectively withdrew from the government Friday after its leader publicly opposed the deal.
