At least ten buildings have been turned into infernos in Athens near the Greek Parliament. Inside, Greek lawmakers finally voted to implement austerity measures designed to avoid national bankruptcy. A three-storey corner building believed to be a home appliances store was severely damaged by fire. Among other buildings damaged were a cinema, a bank, a mobile phone dealership, a glassware shop and a Starbucks coffee shop, the Associated Press says citing the fire department. State television reported the violence spread to the tourist islands of Corfu and Crete, the northern city of Thessaloniki and towns in central Greece. Police said 150 shops were looted in the capital and 34 buildings set ablaze. Altogether 199 of the 300 lawmakers backed the bill, but 43 deputies from the two parties in the government of Prime Minister Lucas Papademos, the socialists and conservatives, rebelled by voting against. They were immediately expelled by their parties. YouTube.Greece approves austerity bill as Athens burns
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At least ten buildings have been turned into infernos in Athens near the Greek Parliament. Inside, Greek lawmakers finally voted to implement austerity measures designed to avoid national bankruptcy. A three-storey corner building believed to be a home appliances store was severely damaged by fire. Among other buildings damaged were a cinema, a bank, a mobile phone dealership, a glassware shop and a Starbucks coffee shop, the Associated Press says citing the fire department. State television reported the violence spread to the tourist islands of Corfu and Crete, the northern city of Thessaloniki and towns in central Greece. Police said 150 shops were looted in the capital and 34 buildings set ablaze. Altogether 199 of the 300 lawmakers backed the bill, but 43 deputies from the two parties in the government of Prime Minister Lucas Papademos, the socialists and conservatives, rebelled by voting against. They were immediately expelled by their parties. YouTube.