Greece is trapped in a tunnel with no light at the end

Riots take place outside parliament as inside the Greek finance minister holds his head in his hands. Credit: Reuters

The trouble in Athens is over and the debate is too - at this moment the vote is about to happen.

The result, I suspect, is a foregone conclusion - with the support of the opposition a weakened government will get this Greek bailout deal through.

What a bruising day it has been for the country's leadership here - tonight ugly scenes were preceded by a large demonstration and a civil service strike.

People remain angry and confused - and who can blame them when they are asked to back a deal that their own Prime Minister says he doesn't believe in?

Tonight the Greek leadership looks rather inept, but the biggest problem is the absence of any hope or optimism.

After five years of austerity, no-one here thinks another dose of it is going to do any good.

The country is trapped in a tunnel with no light at the end of it.