The European Union has welcomed the vote in Greek Parliament in favour of a controversial austerity package. The EU called it a vital step back from a very grave scenario of default. But, on the streets of Athens, police fought running battles with hundreds of youths protesting against the proposed cuts. Clashes between the protesters and police in the area around Parliament continued late late into the evening. The Greek Parliament earlier approved a drastic austerity programme which aims to raise 25 billion pounds between now and 2016 by cutting public spending and raising taxes. Prime Minister George Papandreou argued if the plan failed so too would Greece itself.