Greece’s parliament is to vote on a second package of measures demanded by international lenders to open talks on a new bailout deal.

It follows last week’s vote on a mix of economic reforms which was passed, but a revolt by 39 Syriza lawmakers raised questions over the government’s stability.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras needs to avoid a second significant rebellion from within the ranks of Syriza. Last week’s vote reduced his support within his own ruling coalition to just 123, barely more than the minimum 120 required to sustain a minority government.

However todays bill is expected to go through with opposition support.

“What we are called upon to do is implement a difficult deal, a deal that was forced upon us, which will have negative effects on the majority of society,” complained Panos Skourletis, Minister for the Environment and Energy

bailout in doses

Newspaper headlines talk of “a bailout in doeses”. Not included in this second package are pension reforms cur