Greek PM seeks backing for bailout

Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras sought his party’s backing today for a new budget austerity package that is harsher than what he urged Greeks to reject in a vote just last week, but would provide the country with longer-term financial support.

Government ministers signed off on the sweeping new measures, which include pension cuts and tax increases that are likely to inflict further pain on people who have just emerged from a six-year economic depression.