Greece clears final hurdle to get bailout funds

ATHENS, Greece — Greece has bought itself some time to deal with its crippling debt crisis after lawmakers cleared the final hurdle for crucial bailout funds to be released, that will prevent the country from defaulting next month.

The European Union and International Monetary Fund had demanded Parliament pass two bills — an austerity law and a second bill detailing how it will be implemented — before they approve a (euro) 12 billion ($17.3 billion) installment from the country’s (euro) 110 billion ($159 billion) package of rescue loans.

Parliament passed the second law by majority vote Thursday.

The austerity measures have been met with resistance, with two days of rioting in the lead-up to Wednesday’s vote. More than 300 people were injured.