Defying 'troika,' Greek parliament approves aid to poor

By advancing housing allowances and food aid, Greece's parliament has ignored apparent attempts from the European Commission to halt the emergency help. However, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (pictured) had insisted that his government would honor an election promise to end the crippling austerity imposed from abroad.

The note of defiance comes ahead of an expected meeting on Greece's credit line with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande, and Mario Draghi and Jean-Claude Juncker, the respective chiefs of the European Central Bank (ECB) and Commission.

"Let them keep their threats for where they work, not for this government and, more importantly, not for this people," Tsipras said of foreign leaders ahead of Wednesday's vote. "What can one say to those who would leave thousands to freeze in their homes without power?" he added.

Economy Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said the European Commission didn't oppose humanitarian measures. However, he added, the EU's executive body would like consultations on their potential economic impact.

(Πηγή: www.dw.de)