The Greek prime minister’s Syriza party has been deeply split after it refused to back a bailout that he accepted to keep the country in the eurozone.

Alexis Tsipras, weakened by the revolt,is clinging to power for now.

His defence minister had said the deal is the product of blackmail.

“This ‘blackmail’ that you refer to, do you believe it is real or imagined?,” asked Tsipras. “If you believe it is imagined, then I am open to alternative options, and we can go forward that way. If, however, you believe the blackmail is real, then there is no other option than for all of us to share the burden of this responsibility.”

Among the rebels was former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis who had earlier written a scathing blog about the deal. He later told reporters that he “did not vote against the government.”

Greece is looking for up to 86 billion euros in a third rescue package in return for tougher austerity measures and reforms.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is cal