Bill on private universities receives five objections over its constitutionality
A draft legislation by the ruling Conservatives that would enable the establishment of private universities in Greece received five objections regarding its constitutionality as soon as it was tabled in Parliament on Wednesday.
The objections were submitted by MPs of leftist SYRIZA, the Communist Party (KKE), religious-conservative Greek Solution, the New Left and nationalist Niki, which together holding 90 seats. With New Democracy holding 158 seats, the objections are expected to be dismissed.
Nikos Androulakis, the leader of center-left PASOK, said Tuesday that his party, which holds 32 seats, would only support the bill if it was done withe the revision of Article 16 of the Greek Constitution, which forbids the establishment of private universities.
Education Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis has previously stated that the bill introduces strict criteria while students will have to have reached the minimum entry level in the national examinations or hold an International Baccalaureate. He said there is a need to institutionalize non-state universities, citing the fact that over 40,000 Greek students study overseas.
The three-day debate will end on Friday, when Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will speak about the bill.
