Greek government’s “parallel programme” bill was voted by lawmakers late on Saturday aiming to soften the austerity measures agreed under the third economic programme.
The governing Syriza-ANEL coalition voted in favour of the programme. Opposition New Democracy, Golden Dawn and Union of Centrists parties voted against the programme, while the Democratic Coalition, the communist KKE party and To Potami voted “present”.
This bill was withdrawn in December under pressure from Greece’s creditors, with the government at the time stressing that it would be resubmitted, after the necessary improvements are carried out.
Major reactions
Specifically, the government included additional clarifications on the program’s cost as well as a report from the General Accounting Office, which was not originally included and the omission of which has caused major reactions from the opposition parties.
The government’s ambitious program, which is meant to run ‘parallel’ to the bailout agreement, introduces free healthcare for the uninsured and addresses staffing issues for remote and regional health centers and hospitals, among others.
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