Violent protests sprung up in Athens ahead of the Greek parliament's vote on tough economic reforms that must be passed if Greece is to receive its bailout.

The debate began at 10pm Athens time (8pm GMT), and protesters took to the streets, with many gathering in Athens' Syntagma Square outside of parliament.

Videos from the scene show large numbers of protesters, with small groups throwing what appear to be molotov cocktails and rocks at massed police.

Police have responded by firing tear gas at the protesters, who are part of a larger anti-austerity gathering.

Despite the uncertainty and chaos Greece has been experiencing in the last few weeks, the vast majority of political protests and gatherings have been overwhelmingly peaceful.

25,000 people gathered in Syntagma Square on the day of the referendum, and while a small skirmish between anarchists and the police broke out earlier in the day, the rally went off without any major clashes.

The fighting between citizens and police tonight seems to be the first incident of large-scale violence on the streets of Athens since this crisis began.

Greek politicians are in parliament tonight, and will soon vote on whether to accept the terms of the bailout deal that was agreed upon by Greece and other Eurozone leaders on Sunday night.

In pictures: Riots on the streets of Athens as Greek parliament votes on a bailout deal Show all 20 1 /20 In pictures: Riots on the streets of Athens as Greek parliament votes on a bailout deal In pictures: Riots on the streets of Athens as Greek parliament votes on a bailout deal Athens Riot policemen try to avoid an exploding petrol bomb during clashes In pictures: Riots on the streets of Athens as Greek parliament votes on a bailout deal Athens A protester bleeds as he is arrested by riot police following clashes in Athens In pictures: Riots on the streets of Athens as Greek parliament votes on a bailout deal Athens Riot police run as they disperse protesters during clashes in Athens. Greek anti-establishment protesters threw dozens of petrol bombs at police in front of parliament ahead of a key vote on a bailout deal, in some of the most serious violence in over two years. Police responded with tear gas, sending hundreds of people fleeing in central Syntagma Square In pictures: Riots on the streets of Athens as Greek parliament votes on a bailout deal Athens Protesters set fire to a TV van during clashes In pictures: Riots on the streets of Athens as Greek parliament votes on a bailout deal Athens Protesters set fire to bins during clashes between protestors and riot police In pictures: Riots on the streets of Athens as Greek parliament votes on a bailout deal Athens Riot police officers run away from fire as anti-austerity protesters throw petrol bombs during clashes In pictures: Riots on the streets of Athens as Greek parliament votes on a bailout deal Athens A masked youth hurls a petrol bomb to riot police In pictures: Riots on the streets of Athens as Greek parliament votes on a bailout deal Athens Riot policemen arrest a protester during an anti-austerity protest in front of the Greek parliament In pictures: Riots on the streets of Athens as Greek parliament votes on a bailout deal Athens Riot police stand amongst the flames from exploded petrol bombs thrown by a small group of anti-establishment demonstrators in front of parliament In pictures: Riots on the streets of Athens as Greek parliament votes on a bailout deal Athens Riot police stand amongst the flames from exploded petrol bombs thrown by a small group of anti-establishment demonstrators in front of parliament In pictures: Riots on the streets of Athens as Greek parliament votes on a bailout deal Athens A protester is arrested by riot police following clashes In pictures: Riots on the streets of Athens as Greek parliament votes on a bailout deal Athens Protesters clash with riot police in front of the Greek Parliament In pictures: Riots on the streets of Athens as Greek parliament votes on a bailout deal Athens Riot police use teargas in front of the Greek Parliament In pictures: Riots on the streets of Athens as Greek parliament votes on a bailout deal Athens Protesters raise a Greek flag with a writing reading ''Greece we love you'' during a rally outside the Greek Parliament In pictures: Riots on the streets of Athens as Greek parliament votes on a bailout deal Athens Riot policemen stand guard in front of the Greek Parliament during clashes In pictures: Riots on the streets of Athens as Greek parliament votes on a bailout deal Athens Anti-austerity protesters march in front of the parliament after clashes In pictures: Riots on the streets of Athens as Greek parliament votes on a bailout deal Athens A protester clashes with riot police in front of the Greek Parliament In pictures: Riots on the streets of Athens as Greek parliament votes on a bailout deal Athens Masked anti-establishment youths and anti-austerity protesters are seen through a cloud of tear gas during clashes In pictures: Riots on the streets of Athens as Greek parliament votes on a bailout deal Athens Tourists watch as debris burns on the streets following clashes between protestors and riot police In pictures: Riots on the streets of Athens as Greek parliament votes on a bailout deal Athens Members of the Communist-affiliated PAME labor union march during an anti-austerity rally

If Greece wants to get a bailout, allowing it to keep functioning economically, it must agree to a host of tough measures, including privatisation of the national electricity network, cuts to pensions, and more taxes.

The unrest comes after weeks of peaceful political rallies during the crisis (LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Many of the terms are similar to the austerity measures that Greeks voted against in the referendum, meaning the deal has proved controversial.

Several high-ranking members of the ruling Syriza party have resigned in protest since the deal, including Deputy Finance Minister Nadia Valavani, who said it was "impossible" for her to remain a member of the government after she learned of the deal's terms.

Even Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras criticised the deal, saying it was a "bad" deal that he did not believe in - however, he added that it was the only way that Greece could stay in the EU.