Parliament passes laws on acquiring Greek nationality; roll-call vote on four articles pending

Gazzetta team 8 Ιουλίου 2015 - 19:48

The Greek Parliament on Wednesday passed the greater part of a ground-breaking law on acquiring Greek nationality, which opens the way for migrants to become naturalised Greek citizens. A vote is still pending on four articles in the draft bill, including article 1b, where far-right Golden Dawn demanded a roll-call vote.

Parliament is expected to vote on the remaining four articles (1b, 7, 8 and 10) on Thursday.

Alternate Migration Policy Minister Tasia Christodoulopoulou on Wednesday described the Greek Parliament's vote as "emblematic" at a critical time, "when Greeks were striving to be heard in Europe as citizens, whether they voted 'yes' or whether they voted 'no' [in Sunday's referendum]."

"We want to be a part of Europe and do not desire our exclusion," Christodoulopoulou underlined.

Golden Dawn initially asked for a roll-call vote on article 1 but this was then split into articles 1a and 1b and the first half, concerning the acquisition of nationality by migrants living in the country, was passed.

The second half, 1b, regulates provision of nationality to children that are second-generation migrants born in Greece. The ruling coalition leader SYRIZA, opposition Potami, PASOK and the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) are expected to vote in favour, while main opposition New Democracy, junior coalition member ANEL and GD are to vote against.

Also attached as riders to the draft bill were amendments for the payment of hospital expenses and for changes in senior public-sector administrations without compensation, as well as funds to asylum services and management of related programmes and two amendments tabled by MPs.