Police clash with protesters in Athens

Greece’s parliament, voting late into the night, finally approved the new coalition government’s 2012 austerity budget. Technocrat Prime Minister Lucas Papademos won the backing of three major parties despite the deeply unpopular nature of the plan.

Throughout the day and while the vote was taking place, demonstrators clashed with police in the capital.

Most were venting their anger at yet more measures being introduced by the Greek government as a result of the debt crisis.

Although the march was originally held to commemorate the death of a student shot by police in 2008, the reason for the rally was soon forgotten.

Thirty-eight people were arrested after stones and firebombs were thrown at banks and shops.

Many of the protesters shouted slogans aimed at the government and calling for revolution.

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