Greeks get 8 years to clear austerity tax bill, as arrears mountain grows

ATHENS, Greece – Parliament has approved draft legislation that would give distressed Greeks more than eight years to settle unpaid taxes imposed under the country's austerity measures.

Lawmakers Friday backed the measure allowing tax settlements to be extended to a maximum of 100 monthly payments, up from previous rules allowing 48. Two small opposition parties also voting in favor, in a rare display of consensus.

Despite a steep rise in unemployment and extensive wage cuts, Greeks have been hammered with additional taxes, levied under bailout agreements between the country and rescue lenders from the eurozone and the International Monetary Fund.

Greece's governing conservatives have seen a sharp drop in opinion poll ratings in recent months, after announcing that emergency taxes due to end this year would be made permanent or extended through 2016.