Greece votes yes to austerity plans

Athens - Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou won a parliamentary majority in favour of a five-year austerity plan on Wednesday, clearing a major hurdle in Greece's bid to win access to international funding to avoid default.

With voting still continuing, Papandreou's Socialist government had already reached the 151 votes it required in the 300-seat chamber to secure the passage of the framework law.

It must now win approval on Thursday for legislation detailing specific implementation measures for the €28bn austerity package.