The last bill of 2023 is being voted on today
In terms of its technical layering, the government characterizes the bill as "fundraising", a term it introduced into the legislative process in the previous parliamentary term, to capture any legislative initiative that brings together regulations without a similar object. The opposition insists on talking about a "broom bill", which undermines parliamentary debate, transparency and ultimately democracy. As in the previous times when the National Delegation was asked to take a position on the provisions of fiscal bills, so now, the government defends the specific way of legislation on the grounds that it ensures an organized discussion, processing in the committees, listening to bodies.
However, the multi-law bill of the Ministry of National Economy and Finance was submitted to the Parliament with 98 articles (along with the deadline for entry into force). After its vote, however, it will "take the road" to the National Printing Office with at least 123 articles, since the articles of three amendments submitted by the government will be added, a few hours before its debate in plenary.
The provision that generated the greatest dissatisfaction and reaction of the opposition is the one that modifies the status of the joint-stock company "Anaplasi Athens Anonymi Etairia", which is renamed "ANAPLASI SA". With the amendment, the purpose of the company is expanded, in order to include the coordination, planning, programming and implementation of renovations throughout the Greek territory, and not only within the limits of the Municipality of Athens, as is currently the case. The amendment foresees that the number of members of the company's Board of Directors will be reduced by five, instead of the current eleven members. The status of the members participating in the new composition is also redefined. With its current composition, "Anaplasi Athens SA" was chaired by the mayor of Athens. With the new provision, as the president of "ANAPLASI SA", a person of well-known prestige, scientific training and professional experience will be appointed, in the thematic areas of the company.
The opposition links the amendment with the change of baton in the municipality of Athens and asks the government to withdraw it.
Other provisions of the bill, such as the one for the redetermination of the remuneration of non-parliamentary ministers, the increases in the allowances of judicial officers are also receiving shots. However, many of the proposed provisions will be voted on by the opposition in the end, with the reasoning that they may not constitute definitive solutions for a number of issues, but they are moving towards improvement.
For all the other provisions of the "fundraising" bill, the government underlines that the aim is to strengthen the growth dynamics of the Greek economy but also to strengthen social cohesion, given that the bill includes regulations with a social footprint, such as the extension of medical contracts and nursing staff needed by the National Health System, up to the new recruitment of permanent staff. The governing majority declares the strong will of the government to utilize all the opportunities and possibilities that exist to support investments, businesses, the private economy and society. At the same time, he emphasizes that the Government has a fresh, clear and above all strong mandate from the citizens to proceed with deep changes and reforms, to continue to move the country forward together with the citizens, together with all the productive forces of the place. The bill "with practical as well as substantial provisions" is part of this effort.
The "fundraising" bill is the last one to be voted on in 2023. Yesterday, the Speaker of the Parliament, Konstantinos Tasoulas, informed the members of the Conference of Presidents, that with the new year, the processing of three bills in the competent parliamentary committees will be scheduled: The changes to the Criminal Code, the Vocational Training Bill and the Postal Vote Bill.
