Parliament: Government-opposition confrontation in Plenary on the climate law – Tomorrow Thursday its vote

In high tones and verbal confrontations between government officials and opposition MPs, the discussion of the bill of the Ministry of Environment for the new national climate law continues in the Plenary, which is expected to be completed tomorrow with its adoption.

The Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the leader of the official opposition Alexis Tsipras are also expected to speak tomorrow.

The government side defends the new legislative initiative, arguing that it is based on an ambitious, realistic plan with specific goals and measurable results for the country’s fair climate change and energy security.

Opposition lawmakers, for their part, argue that it is an inferior bill that ensures neither social justice nor environmental protection, but serves specific interests.

During its elaboration in the competent committees of the Parliament, only ND was in favor of its principle, while SYRIZA and KINAL were reserved for its discussion in the Plenary and KKE, Hellenic Solution and MERA25 voted against.

Two amendments have been tabled to the bill which provide:

– The extraordinary provision of financial support up to 600 euros to cover part of the increase in electricity tariffs in the period from 1/12/2021 to 31/5/2022.

-The mandatory exemption from reforestation of areas that have been declared reforestable, but do not appear as forests or forest areas in the forest maps that have been ratified.

Opposition parties have strongly opposed the move, accusing the government of systematically undermining the parliamentary process.

Responding, Environment Minister Costas Skrekas attributed their reactions to expediencies to avoid, as he said, clarifying whether or not they are in favor of measures to support households and businesses.

Source: AMPE