Greek Parliament Passes 2013 Budget

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras (blue tie) applauds with lawmakers after a vote at the parliament in Athens, on November 8.

Despite protests, the Greek parliament has passed the country's 2013 austerity budget, a key to unlocking more international financial aid to avoid the country going bankrupt.

The approval by majority vote early this morning comes four days after a separate bill of deep spending cuts and tax hikes was narrowly passed by the 300-member Parliament following severe disagreements among the three parties in the governing coalition.

As parliament voted, thousands protested outside the parliament building.

One poll published on November 11 showed more than 85 per cent of Greeks are facing financial difficulties.

Finance ministers from the 17 eurozone countries meet in Brussels later Monday, with Greece high on the agenda.

But German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has said international creditors won't be rushed into approving the loan disbursement.

Based on AP and Reuters reporting