Greece's Tsipras faces storm at home over debt talks

Greece

Whatever the outcome of wrangling in Brussels over its debt problems, Greece may be heading for further political turmoil as defections by leftwingers weaken Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' grip on government.

Out of 149 lawmakers in his radical-left Syriza party, 17 refused to support him in Saturday's vote which authorised the government to reopen negotiations for a bailout in exchange for austerity measures.

The revolt meant Tsipras could not count on his majority in the 300-seat assembly.

He got the votes he needed with the backing of the right-wing opposition and a coalition that included Socialist and other left-wing legislators.

Since the vote Greece has plunged back into tense talks with the 18 other members of the eurozone over a potential bailout to keep the heavily-indebted nation in the euro. 

But any deal will inevitably come tied to tough conditions, demanded especially by northern European countries.

It will require the approval of the Greek parliament -- and Tsipras will again not likely be able to rely on the support of a portion of his party. 

Fifteen Syriza MPs who had backed Tsipras on Saturday sent a letter to the premier saying he should not count on them to approve any future reforms demanded by Greece's creditors.