German lawmakers approve final Greek bailout payment

German lawmakers have approved the payment of a final bailout loan instalment to Greece worth 15 billion euros ($17.6 billion).

The German parliament's budget committee raised no objections to the payment at a special sitting Wednesday convened during the parliamentary summer break. The pro-business Free Democrats and far-right Alternative for Germany sought to block it but their motions were voted down.

European authorities had earlier approved the payout in principle but final approval was delayed as Greece was asked to find additional 2018 budget savings after extending a sales tax discount on islands affected by the ongoing refugee crisis.

Greece's third successive international bailout ends in late August.