Coalition parties ND and PASOK continue discussions to ensure government cohesion during the vote on Wednesday night of the multi-bill, which is considered a prerequisite for the disbursement of the next tranche.
The revision of the multi-bill by the parliamentary Finance Committee revealed disagreements between MPs from the coalition parties, which, if not dealt with corrections in certain Articles, are able to rock the fragile government majority of 155 MPs.
ND ministers are in consultations with ND and PASOK MPs, to agree on improvements and corrections to bend any objections that might arise on the multi-bill. They expect to include adjustments that may be voted by DIMAR MPs as well, tovima.gr writes.
Prime Minister Antonis Samaras met with government vice-president and PASOK president Evangelos Venizelos, and agreed on a series of specific corrections in the multi-bill. Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras and Interior Minister Yiannis Michelakis were present at the meeting.
Among others, the bill contains public administration ministry amendments introducing sweeping public sector reforms, such as the ‘mobility’ scheme that will see thousands of public-sector workers suspended on reduced pay, until they are either transferred to another position or laid off. There are also drastic changes relating to tax law and new mechanisms for deciding the minimum wage, AMNA informs.
Meanwhile, a group of SYRIZA MPs yesterday hung a banner over the parapet above the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament, which wrote: “Fire the government. ‘No’ to sackings in the private and public sector,” Kathimerini informs.
The banner was hung as thousands of Greeks marched on Syntagma Square to protest a multi-bill that is currently under debate in Parliament and which foresees, among other measures, the streamlining of the public sector. The SYRIZA MPs’ move was met by applause and cheers from the protesters, whom they went on to join the rally.