Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is considering closing down the Greek Parliament plenary in order for the new reform bills to be voted during the parliamentary summer sessions, according to sources from the Maximos Mansion.
By closing down the House plenary, Tsipras avoids the vote of confidence option and subsequent early elections in September. Analysts say that the prime minister is aware that it is very unlikely that he would get the House vote of confidence. All opposition parties are against his decision to sign the third bailout and almost one third of his own party MPs have announced that they will not back him and the austerity memorandum he brought.
Most importantly, the shutting down of the plenary for summer will secure that Tsipras can appoint the lawmakers who will work in the summer sessions and shape the majorities needed in Parliament. This way he will succeed in having the reforms pass. The two summer sessions are 15 days each and they will run until early October. This way, right before the first review by creditors, all controversial bills required by creditors will have passed and aid funds will be disbursed.
According to information within the government, the Presidential Decree is already drafted and, reportedly, has already been forwarded to President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos.
A vote of confidence proposal can be submitted during summer sessions, however the vote can only take place during plenary. This way Tsipras avoids the inner SYRIZA turmoil.
Also, the closing of Parliament for summer eliminates the possibility of September elections. Tsipras prefers to have elections at the end of October, when the first review is over and Athens can discuss the debt relief issue with creditors. Also, the SYRIZA extraordinary congress can take place in September where a lot of issues will clarify.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
