Unprecedented! Finance Minister Yiannis Stournaras withdrew the provision after the Parliament staff went on strike. Stournaras told the plenary that he withdraw the provision but that he will bring it up again on a later point as the strike threatened to boycott the austerity bill voting procedure.
MPs reacted shouting at Stournaras.
INDEPGREEKS leader Panos Kammenos said that the provision should be valid only for those MPs’ relatives working at the Parliament.
In some media there has been talk that “the political system was hostage to its own clients.”
Employees at Greek parliament walked out of work, while the MPs were debating the austerity measures package. Reason for the unexpected strike, was a last minute change in the austerity bill according to which parliament staff will undergo the same cuts as all civil servants.
The staff reportedly complains about cuts in payments of overtime work. they claim that no minister can do any changes in their status except the Parliament Speaker. Finance Minister Yiannis Stournaras did the change,
The strike started at 7 p.m. and threatens to undermine the austerity bill voting procedure.
Parliament staff, mostly consisting of daughters, sons and other close relatives of MPs enjoy a privileged status and is considered as the inner core of the clientelist state.
SYRIZA and Independent Greeks support the parliament staff.
Right now, SYRIZA MP Lafazanis requested that the plenary session is suspended.
However, it looks as if the Parliament can continue functioning with emergency staff.
PS never seen that before? we’re in Greece right now lol
