(VOVworld) – The Greek parliament has approved broad reforms of the country’s pension and income tax systems ahead of Monday’s emergency meeting of eurozone finance ministers and IMF officials aimed at completing the first review of Greece’s 86 billion euro bailout.

A parliamentary session in Athens on May 8 (Photo: AFP/ VNA)

The bill passed by 153 votes in favor to 144 against in a roll-call vote following a heated two-day debate. Under new controversial reforms, the pension cuts are to save 1.8 billion euros meanwhile, the tax reforms are to bring back 1.8 billion euros to Greece’s state budget.