17 Nov 2011

Greek PM passes first hurdle in parliament

10:04 am on 17 November 2011

Greece's new prime minister Lucas Papademos and his three-party coalition government have won a confidence vote in parliament with a huge majority.

The vote was the first hurdle for the new unity government which was formed after the resignation of George Papandreou.

The motion was supported by 255 MPs while 38 voted against it.

The BBC's correspondent in Athens says the vote was a formality, giving Mr Papademos the authority to govern.

The administration still faces a huge challenge to get parliamentary approval of Greece's bailout package.

It must enact deeply unpopular austerity measures to receive the next installment of its international loan.