Greece adopts law on social system reform

The Greek Parliament approved a controversial law to change the social security and tax systems. Ratification took place just a few hours before an extraordinary Eurogroup meeting in Brussels in order to create conditions for obtaining further loans and start a conversation on debt relief.

Left government for capitalism

The law, which caused a fierce reaction from the opposition parties and trade unions, was adopted by 153 votes of the deputies of the ruling coalition, while 143 lawmakers voted against it. A total of 296 lawmakers took part in a roll-call vote, which took place on Sunday evening, where four were absent.

The controversial bill is aimed at new pension cuts and an increase in contributions to social insurance funds. Taxes will also be raised.

During his speech at the plenary session shortly before the vote, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said that the government intends to fairly distribute the burden.

However, critics of the new law have argued that due to direct and indirect taxes to the funds, the country will "choke" the poor and the middle classes.

Protest Actions

Just before the bill was passed, Athens and other major Greek cities held large protests against the bill on Sunday. According to police estimates, about 7,000 protesters, mostly members of the trade union PAME, started a rally in central Athens. GSEE and ADEDY, the largest trade unions of the private and public sector in Greece, which represent about two million employees, also staged a demonstration and a concert at Syntagma Square in front of parliament, while the other trade unions of journalists, teachers, and police officers held separate marches.

Protests took place immediately after the 48-hour general strike, which paralyzed the public sector across the country on Friday and Saturday, and was the culmination of a long series of strikes and protests against the reforms.

Greece in the EU's suppression system

As you can see, no matter who is in power in Greece, the Brussels bureaucracy effectively manipulates the government. While the majority of the Greek population previously opposed dialogue with the EU, Tsipras' government betrayed the interests of the Greeks and made concessions to Brussels and creditors.

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Greece adopts law on social system reform