Greece charts plan to rein in deficit

Legislators back budget boosting tax revenues, restricting salaries

ATHENS: Greece's Socialist-led parliament approved a 2010 budget aimed at reducing the country's high deficit by boosting tax revenues while slashing spending and restricting salaries and new appointments in the public sector.

Following a five-day debate in parliament, and amid pressure from markets and other European Union countries, all 160 Socialist lawmakers approved the budget in yesterday's vote, while 139 from four opposition parties opposed it, and one deputy was absent.