Immigrant Deportation Bill Pulled

Greece’s coalition government abruptly yanked a measure in a draft law that would have allowed the deportation of immigrants making false claims about racially-motivated attacks after it almost led to the PASOK Socialists pulling their support.
Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’ New Democracy-led Administration has only a three-vote majority in the 300-member Parliament and is already facing a rebellion from one of its lawmakers and two from PASOK over a provision in a critical multi-bill that would extend the shelf life of fresh milk as ordered by international lenders.
Not being able to afford another scrape, the government pulled back from the immigration deportation even though Samaras had made getting rid of illegal immigrants a key part of his 2012 election platform.
Deputy Interior Minister Leonidas Grigorakos removed the controversial provision from the draft bill following vehement opposition by MPs from PASOK.
The aim had been to set the conditions for granting residence permits to immigrants on humanitarian grounds, including to victims of racist attacks.
New Democracy members felt it could be exploited by immigrants making false claims against police in a bid to stay in the country or gain advantage to secure legal residence.
PASOK members were reportedly furious about it with the major opposition Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) claiming that it would give impunity to the Coast Guard and police.
Several PASOK lawmakers also objected, with Paris Koukoulopoulos saying the approval of such a measure would “make us the laughing stock of the European Parliament.”