Gov?t U-turn over release of debtors list

The government had promised to publicize a list of people with major tax debts this week, but decided on Monday to postpone that indefinitely, opting instead to make it available only to members of Parliament.

Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos told Parliament on Monday that following a report by the Hellenic Data Protection Authority, the list will be classified, and deputies will only be able to access it after those named have been given 15 days? notice.

A draft law on the economy, tabled last week, had provided for the list being made public through the mass media and the Internet, with Venizelos saying on Friday that he was ?determined? to ensure that everyone would know who owes large amounts of money to the state, expressing ?hope? the data protection authority would give the green light for the list?s release.

The first part of the list that MPs will be able to view will include those owing over 1 million euros, with the next part including those with debts between 150,000 euros and 1 million.