Greece suspended citizenship applications by migrants on Friday with a circular issued by Alternate Interior Ministry. The circular comes two weeks after Prime Minister Antonis Samaras gave orders to immediately scrap the migrant citizenship law and asked the Minister of Interior to work out a new draft that will comply with the Greek Constitution. The fast-track decision of PM comes a day after the Council of State, Greece’s highest administrative court, casted doubt on its compatibility with the Constitution.
“A ministerial decision to suspend all procedures relating to the examination and approval of citizenship applications by immigrants has fueled upheaval within the fragile three-party government. Socialist PASOK described the circular as “illegal” and claiming that it “undermines the government’s partnership,” while junior partner Democratic Left called for the immediate withdrawal of the “unacceptable circular.”
A circular sent out by Alternate Interior Minister Haralambos Athanassiou late on Friday calls on state services to suspend processing of all citizenship applications by migrants and registration of new citizens at municipal offices.
with socialist PASOK describing his circular as “illegal” and claiming that it “undermines the government’s partnership,” while Democratic Left called for the immediate withdrawal of the “unacceptable circular.” (ekathimerini)
