The Greek parliament approved a 2016 budget featuring sharp cuts in spending and some tax increases to satisfy the country's international lenders at a time of growing austerity fatigue.<br />The leftist-led government of Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is under pressure to deliver tangible benefits to its poorest citizens after having signed to a third rescue package from euro zone governments in August worth up to 86 billion euros.<br />The budget makes 5.7 billion euros in public spending cuts including 1.8 billion from pensions and 500 million from defense.<br />"This budget is a difficult task for a government that wants to leave its mark with social justice," Tsipras told lawmakers just before the vote.
