February 13, 2012
Anti-government demonstrators turned the square in front of the Greek parliament building in Athens into a a war zone on Sunday night as politicians debated the controversial austerity plan aimed at averting a sovereign default.
The ballot – widely seen as the most important in modern Greek history – ignited fury as violence erupted outside the parliament where protesters had assembled, while inside, MPs engaged in fierce debate over the draconian measures demanded in return for international aid.
Protesters wearing black masks fought running battles with police while others held banners saying "Popular uprising!", "It's us or them!" and "Don't gamble away all we have achieved".
More than 5,000 police officers were dispatched to the capital with units being brought in from the countryside in anticipation of clashes that broke out within an hour of demonstrators gathering.
Before the vote, MPs citing the counter-productive affects of austerity so far appeared uncertain which way they would cast their ballots despite mounting consensus that the agreement would ultimately be passed.
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