Emergency property tax challenged

An association calling itself ?Greek Taxpayers? has submitted a legal challenge to the emergency property tax, which homeowners are being called on to pay this month.

The government introduced the tax, which ranges between 0.50 cents and 20 euros per square meter and is being charged via electricity bills, to raise some 2 billion euros, but the group has appealed to the Council of State, Greece?s highest administrative court.

It claims the tax is unconstitutional and that it goes against the European Human Rights Treaty for the government to threaten to cut off the electricity of anyone that does not pay.