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Greece amends constitution to net corrupt politiciansGreek lawmakers on Thursday held a second vote on changes to the country's constitution, aiming to facilitate the prosecution of corrupt politicians.The revisions must now be reconfirmed by parliament after the next election which is scheduled for October.Parliamentarians agreed to amend safeguards shielding ministers and MPs from prosecution, which have proved a major stumbling block in pursuing several high-profile graft cases dating back to the early 2000s.Judicial officials are currently investigating alleged kickbacks to conservative and socialist ex-ministers from Swiss pharma multinational Novartis and German engineering giant Siemens.A 2003 case linked to bribes allegedly paid for a navy frigate upgrade is also under investigation.The revision will also affect presidential election rules so that parliament does not have to be dissolved in case of deadlock.Planned changes also include the introduction of a political oath for state officials, and the definition of the Greek state as "religion-neutral".Political rivals have dismissed the constitutional revision as a ploy by Tsipras to woo left-wing voters and narrow a poll gap with the frontrunning New Democracy conservative party.
Checking of Greeks’ cash abroad beginsThe tax administration now has data concerning Greeks with deposits, dividends, shares and real estate abroad over the last couple of years, in the context of the automatic exchange of information.The inspectors of the Independent Authority for Public Revenue have been processing the data to establish whether the assets abroad have been declared.
Greek government under fire over penal code that favours neo-Nazi Golden Dawn and criminal groupsThe penal code proposed would halve prison sentences for extreme groupsThe Greek government has come under a barrage of criticism after Justice Minister Michalis Kalogirou publicised the new penal code which includes very lenient prison sentences to members and leaders of criminal groups and organisations.The new penal code put forward by the Minister for public discussion halves prison sentences from the current 10 to 20 to between 10 and 5 years, effectively favouring the members of neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn who have been on trial for the murder of Pavlos Fyssas for 4 years, as well as extreme left groups involved in criminal activities.Major opposition party New Democracy (ND) called the move to reduce penalties for both criminal organisations and the making and possessing Molotov bombs were a “double gift” to Golden Dawn and the hooded thugs, claiming the code favours Golden Dawn and tolerance towards the extreme left groups.
Entry tickets to 24 archaeological sites to increase slightlyThe new fees will take effect from 2020 onwardThe cost of entry fees in 24 archaeological sites, museums and monuments in Greece will increase after the Central Archaeological Council (CAC) approved proposals put forward by a working team responsible for determining the new pricing system for sites across the country.According to the proposals, the 2-1 euro ticket category will be replaced by the 3-2 euro class, while there will be an increase in fees in a total of 24 archaeological sites, museums and monuments and a reduction in five sites.
Surveys Says Vast Majority of Greeks See Immigrants as a BurdenA survey in the eighteen countries which host half of the world’s migrants found that Greeks are the most skeptical of all about immigrants, with 74 percent of the population viewing them as a burden.
Greece condemns New Zealand mosque massacreGreek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos on Friday conveyed the nation's condolences to the government and people of New Zealand following a right-wing extremist mass shooting at two mosques that killed at least 49 people and left dozens injured.
Christchurch shootings: Fury as Australian senator Fraser Anning blames mosque terror attack on immigration
White British people 'twice as likely to hold extremist views as people of Pakistani descent'Higher proportion of Muslims than Christians condemn extremist statements, research shows
Birmingham police shooting: Man shot dead by armed officers in early morning operation
Vigils and increased police patrols to take place in UK in wake of New Zealand terror attacks
End in sight for Greece's long quest to complete national land registryGreece, the only European country without a proper register of land ownership, is confident it will finally have one in place by 2021 after spending hundreds of millions of euros on a project that began more than 20 years ago.
Pony with horrific neck wound looking for new home after rescue
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Topic: 15/03/19 (Read 1905 times)
