Greek Parliament passes 2016 budget
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece's Parliament has approved the 2016 budget that includes deep spending cuts and tax hikes amid economic recession.
The budget passed early Sunday, 153-145, with 2 lawmakers absent in the 300-member Parliament. The vote was strictly along partisan lines.
The government forecasts zero economic growth this year and a contraction of 0.7 percent in 2016. Earlier, it had predicted declines of 2.3 percent and 1.3 percent, respectively.
Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras addresses lawmakers during a parliamentary session in Athens, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. Greek parliament votes on 2016 budget that sees the country slipping back into mild recession and maintaining high unemployment. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told Parliament that growth would resume in the second half of 2016 and a strong tourist season could avoid a recession altogether.
Despite spending cuts of around 2 billion euros ($2.18 billion) and a similar amount in tax hikes, debt is forecast to grow to 327.6 billion euros ($356 billion) or 187.8 percent of GDP from 180.2 percent in 2015.
Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras addresses lawmakers during a parliamentary session in Athens, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. Greek parliament votes on 2016 budget that sees the country slipping back into mild recession and maintaining high unemployment. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras addresses lawmakers during a parliamentary session in Athens, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. Greek parliament votes on 2016 budget that sees the country slipping back into mild recession and maintaining high unemployment. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras addresses lawmakers during a parliamentary session in Athens, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015. Greek parliament votes on 2016 budget that sees the country slipping back into mild recession and maintaining high unemployment. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
Greece's Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos, right, is applauded by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, center, and other lawmakers after delivering a speech during a parliamentary session in Athens, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2015. Greek parliament votes on 2016 budget that sees the country slipping back into mild recession and maintaining high unemployment. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
Greece's Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos addresses lawmakers during a parliamentary session in Athens, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015. Greek parliament votes on 2016 budget that sees the country slipping back into mild recession and maintaining high unemployment. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
Greece's Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos addresses lawmakers during a parliamentary session in Athens, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015. Greek parliament votes on 2016 budget that sees the country slipping back into mild recession and maintaining high unemployment. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
Greece's Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos, right, speaks with Economy Minister George Stathakis during a parliamentary session in Athens, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015. Greek parliament votes on 2016 budget that sees the country slipping back into mild recession and maintaining high unemployment. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
Greece's Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos attends a parliamentary session in Athens, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015. Greek parliament votes on 2016 budget that sees the country slipping back into mild recession and maintaining high unemployment. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
Greece's Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos attends a parliamentary session in Athens, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015. Greek parliament votes on 2016 budget that sees the country slipping back into mild recession and maintaining high unemployment. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
Greece's Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos attends a parliamentary session in Athens, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015. Greek parliament votes on 2016 budget that sees the country slipping back into mild recession and maintaining high unemployment. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras attends a parliamentary session in Athens, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015. Greek parliament votes on 2016 budget that sees the country slipping back into mild recession and maintaining high unemployment. (AP Photo/ Yorgos Karahalis)
Greece's Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras attends a parliamentary session in Athens, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015. Greek parliament votes on 2016 budget that sees the country slipping back into mild recession and maintaining high unemployment. (AP Photo/ Yorgos Karahalis)
Greece's Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos addresses lawmakers during a parliamentary session in Athens, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015. Greek parliament votes on 2016 budget that sees the country slipping back into mild recession and maintaining high unemployment. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
