How the Greek parliament passed the laws for auctions and real estate tax

By a vote of 152 yes and 141 no the bill which blocks the primary residence auctions until January 1, 2015 and creates protection status for borrowers was voted for this weekend in the Greek parliament. The present 153 members of New Democracy and PASOK voted for all articles except Byron Polidoras and Apostolos Kaklamanis.

The settings for the new Single Property Tax (ENFIA) and property auctions, in conjunction with the provisions added to the two controversial bills, made the coalition government reach its limits of endurance.

The Parliamentary Groups of New Democracy and PASOK were shaken by intense reactions of their members as they were enraged by the plethora of irrelevant regulations burdening the already tense political climate.

In an attempt of the government staff to calm the situation ahead of troika’s arrival in mid-January and take away from its partners and lenders every excuse for further delays, Finance minister Yannis Stournaras and Development minister Kostis Hadjidakis were forced to adopt amendments to meet the prerequisites thus causing the wrath of MPs from the coalition and the opposition.

The target of most of them was the amendment that establishes from the beginning of the new year a new crime sheet on overdue debts to the State, stating that the taxpayers’ debts will receive after a two-month delay additional fines of about 10% which will become 20 % in the second year and 30% in the third. Thus, despite the modus vivendi reached by the significant improvements made by the economic team, the debate on the two bills was accompanied by sharp criticism.