Greek PM said to be mulling Parliament summer sessions instead of confidence vote

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is said to be considering opening Parliament's summer sessions to legislate reforms pledged to creditors over the coming weeks, according to media reports which suggest the premier is reviewing plans for a confidence vote in his government and snap elections.

The aim of switching Parliament to a reduced summer session, where 100 MPs sit instead of the full 300, would be to allow him to choose which SYRIZA MPs attend the votes, thus removing rebel lawmakers and facilitating the passage of legislation pledged to lenders.

According to sources, a presidential decree ordering Parliament to switch to its summer sessions has been drafted and only requires the signature of President Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

If Tsipras does decide to proceed with the option of summer sessions in Parliament, ignoring advice by some of his aides for a vote of confidence that would spark snap polls, he could theoretically pass the bulk of legislation implementing reforms Greece has committed to by the end of September.

In such a scenario, Parliament's plenary session would likely reopen in early October and elections could take place later that month, according to reports.