Tensions rise over new ESR board appointment
House Speaker Nikos Voutsis (photo) was expected to unveil a new proposal for the appointment of a board to the National Council for Radio and Television (ESR), government sources said on Thursday. The proposal could be presented next Wednesday or Thursday, sources added.
Government sources had recently pointed to the administration’s desire to appoint a new ESR board in order for the body to subsequently run a competition for regional television licenses.
Opposition New Democracy party sources on Thursday said the conservatives would consider discussing the appointment of a new ESR board if the coalition agreed to withdraw a law drafted by State Minister Nikos Pappas which led to the auction of four provisional, national TV liceses in early September.
Meanwhile, the Council of State’s plenary session was set to convene on Friday for a second day of discussions regarding the constitutionality of the recent broadcasting permit auction.
