Parliament's surprise closure
- Written by E.Tsiliopoulos
A little after 17.00 pm on Wednesday, parliament was shut down after a relevant decision that surprised many, despite intense rumors preceding the move. Parliament will remain closed for two weeks pending the opening of summer sessions.
Unofficial government and parliamentary sources have stated to media that after lifting the immunity of the Golden Dawn deputies there were no bills or activities pending. Parliament closed after the relevant decision was posted on parliament's entrance notice board.
SYRIZA has reacted intensely, with party spokesman Panayotis Lafazanis saying: “If the government wants to close parliament, let it do so only for national elections.”
Mr Lafazanis, earlier, also visited parliament president Evangelos Meimarakis and warned him not to close parliament, with the latter not making any commitment. Mr Lafazanis noted that the closing postpones debates requested by the main opposition and holds up judicial cases pending against deputies in the ethics committee.
Independent Greeks party also reacted to the closing with party spokesman Terence Quick noting that the government closed parliament so it can pass with ease edicts dictated by the country's lenders.
Related items
- 556 firefighters from 12 countries will be prepositioned across key locations in Greece, France and Spain
- State Department on Mitsotakis-Erdogan meeting: We encourage the resolution of disputes in accordance with International Law
- Mitsotakis: Technology to become the 'Holy Grail' in disaster prevention
- Erdogan - Mitsotakis meeting in Ankara: We can still collaborate despite our disagreements
- Gerapetritis: Issues of sovereignty cannot be put on the dialogue table
Latest from E.Tsiliopoulos
- 556 firefighters from 12 countries will be prepositioned across key locations in Greece, France and Spain
- State Department on Mitsotakis-Erdogan meeting: We encourage the resolution of disputes in accordance with International Law
- Mitsotakis: Technology to become the 'Holy Grail' in disaster prevention
- Erdogan - Mitsotakis meeting in Ankara: We can still collaborate despite our disagreements
- Gerapetritis: Issues of sovereignty cannot be put on the dialogue table