Battles were fought inside and outside the Greek parliament as Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras worked to convince MPs of the merits of a third potential bailout plan for Greece – this time to the tune of 86 billion euros.

In between violent protests on Syntagma Square, parliamentarians voted overwhelmingly in favour of the reforms, however Tsipras’ ruling radical left coalition was deeply divided.

The leader faces revolt within his own party, which raises questions about his political future.

“A national election won’t really be necessary if the mainstream political parties get together and find some common ground,” political analyst Maria Karaklioumi said. “Then we can either continue with this government, or alternatively, form a national multi-party coalition.”

Of 39 Syriza MPs who distanced themselves from the deal, 32 voted outright against the bailout measures, 6 voted ‘present’ (neither for nor against) and one abstained.

Voula Kehagia, Columnist for Ta Nea newspaper, en