Parliament's surprise closure

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.