ATHENS, Greece — Firefighters are dousing smoldering buildings and cleanup crews are sweeping rubble following a night of rioting in central Athens after lawmakers approved harsh new austerity measures demanded by bailout creditors to save the debt-crippled nation from bankruptcy.
At least 45 buildings were burned, including one of the capital’s oldest restored cinemas, while dozens of stores and cafes were smashed and looted.
The stench of tear gas hung in the air Monday morning, chocking passers-by. More than 120 people were hurt in the rioting which also broke out in other Greek cities.
The rioting began ahead of a historic vote in Parliament on yet more austerity measures. Lawmakers approved the bill in a 199-74 vote, with strong dissent among the two main coalition partners.