Parliament approves government motion to change regime governing five museums

The parliamentary majority of ruling New Democracy party has voted the government’s proposal to alter the regime governing five of Greece’s largest museums on Monday. Opposition parties PASOK, the Communist Party, DiEM25, and Greek Solution all vote against the motion.

SYRIZA abstained from the parliamentary vote, as it had announced, but expressed its opposition to the government’s proposals.

The new legislation seeks to wean five of Greece’s top state museums, including the archaeological museums of Athens and Thessaloniki, from the Culture Ministry, giving them more freedom – and responsibility.

Run under the new law by a ministry-appointed general director and board, the museums will raise funds, seek sponsors and campaign for donors, but will also be able to operate branches and strike partnerships in Greece and abroad, instead of relying exclusively on the ministry for funding and outreach. 

However, the ministry will maintain a supervisory role and will continue to be the main source of funding.