"What matters at this time is for normality to return to the system, but also to ensure that moves affecting our weakest citizens will be avoided," Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Wednesday said in a meeting with the Hellenic Bank Association.

Greek lawmakers approved of a third bailout agreement with European creditors in the early morning hours of Thursday by 229 to 64 with six MPs voting "present", in a vote that saw 39 ruling SYRIZA deputies defy the "party line" to set the stage for a government reshuffle or even an internal showdown.

Events augur a critical day long and a long night, which will determine the fate of the coalition but also of the country.