Greek coalition expels 43 deputies on debt dissent


ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Greece's coalition government has expelled 43 deputies from its ranks in parliament, over dissent in a crucial debt vote.

The Socialists and conservatives expelled 22 and 21 lawmakers, respectively, from their parliamentary groups early Monday, reducing their majority in the 300-seat parliament from 236 to 193.

The vote is considered crucial for Greece to secure multibillion rescue packages and avoid bankruptcy next month.

A third coalition partner, the rightist LAOS party, effectively withdrew from the government Friday after its leader publicly opposed the deal.