Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou clinched enough votes to pass the first part of an austerity plan aimed at meeting European Union aid requirements and staving off default for his debt-laden nation.

Papandreou won by 155 votes to 138, a wider margin than last week's confidence ballot, as some opposition lawmakers abstained rather than oppose a package that is the condition for further rescue funds. The vote was overshadowed by a 48-hour strike and scuffles outside Parliament that saw police fire tear gas at demonstrators protesting budget cuts and asset sales.

Greek bonds rose as approval of the 78 billion-euro ($112 billion) plan sparked optimism Papandreou can keep the country's coffers intact for now. Attention now shifts to a second bill tomorrow that authorizes implementation of the measures. Approval would allow Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos to meet European counterparts on July 3 for talks on releasing a fifth tranche of aid from last year's 110 billion-euro bailout.