Voting for the 2015 budget began at 1 a.m. It was passed with 155 MPs in favor, 134 against and one abstention. Those who voted in favor of the budget were MPs from the coalition conservative New Democracy and socialist PASOK government as well as independent MP Katerina Markou. Those who voted against the budget were MPs from the main opposition Coalition of the Left SYRIZA party, right-wing Independent Greeks ANEL,  ultranationalist Golden Dawn GD (many of whom were absent as they are in jail), the Democratic Left DIMAR, the Greek Communist Party KKE, Independent Democrats and independent deputies. Independent deputy Grigoris Psarianos abstained from voting. Socialist PASOK deputy Ahmet Hatziosman was absent due to illness, therefore could not take part in the voting procedure.

Leaving the meeting, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras spoke of a historic moment. Earlier, in his speech prior to the voting, he had refered to the budget as the most balanced one after decades.

The discussions on the budget were low-key over the weekend, and focused on a range of issues that had to do with everything from negotiations with the troika of Greece’s international creditors from the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund to the education furlough of hunger striker Nikos Romanos.

Outside, demonstrators gathered on both Saturday to commemorate the anniversary of the shooting of teen Alexis Grigoropoulos and on Sunday to protest against austerity measures.

All eyes are now turned to the Eurogroup meeting on Monday, December 8, attended by Greek Finance Minister Gikas Hardouvelis.