Tsipras in parliament: Government's bill stands against democratic institutions

Main opposition party SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras on Monday launched a critique against the New Democracy during the parliamentary debate on the government's bill on the structure of the state and university asylum.

"We are witnessing the realization of a plan that is directly against democratic institutions and common sense," said Tsipras, and accused ND that its plan for the economy is exhausted "in the additional 205 million euros in tax reductions that the SYRIZA government had already launched for the ENFIA property tax."

"Such was your eagerness to change tax policy," said the head of the opposition, "that you pursued no negotiation, no plan to reduce surpluses," he commented and accused the government of rejecting SYRIZA's plan to reduce surpluses.

Tsipras reiterated SYRIZA's criticism of the government’s so-called 'executive state' bill that, among other things, he said, "converts the prime minister's office to a Leviathan," and that "the governments of Orban in Hungary and Bolsonaro in Brazil would be jealous of (ND's) first legislative interventions."

Alexis Tsipras also said that the government has appointed ''Greek Junta sympathizers to government positions," and further criticized the personalities that Prime Minister Mitsotakis appointed in the leadership of the Greek Intelligence Service (EYP).

He said that he observes no substantial progress in the Hellinikon project in Athens except "law amendments that favor those involved" and aired his belief that the government airs fake news and misinformation.

The draft bill containing several regulations - including those for abolishing asylum at universities and preventing deadlock in city and regional council decisions was tabled at the relevant parliamentary committees on Monday.

The debate will conclude on Tuesday and on Wednesday the draft law will be introduced to the plenum.