Debate over mental health legislation and political acrimony expected this week
Political tensions are expected to escalate this week, both between political parties and within them.
Tensions and mobilizations against a controversial bill proposed by the Health Ministry to reform mental health services are anticipated to peak as the bill is voted on this week.
This occurs amid heightened friction between Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis and the Panhellenic Medical Association due to the severe shortage of staff in the National Health System (ESY) and the minister’s management of the issue.
Additionally, the aftermath of last week’s incident in the Aegean, where Turkish warships were positioned just outside Greek territorial waters near the islands of Kassos and Karpathos, will remain a significant focus for political parties.
The spyware scandal will also continue to dominate political debate, following last week’s revelations and developments.
Mental health legislation
The union representing public hospital workers (POEDIN) has called for a 24-hour strike on Monday and a protest rally in Syntagma Square, timed to coincide with the parliamentary vote on a bill regulating mental health institutions, therapy centers, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs. This strike is supported by the public servants’ umbrella union, ADEDY.
Health experts and professionals oppose the proposed changes, arguing that they will render mental health services dysfunctional by transferring jurisdiction from public hospitals to regional health departments.
Psychiatric hospitals will also lose their independence as they come under the oversight of regional health departments.
The bill also includes a regulation that penalises private doctors who do not participate in on-call duties in the public health system by excluding them from the prescription system.
Spyware
Opposition parties are likely to focus on the spyware scandal following the revelation that among the 116 cellphone numbers illegally tapped, 28 were also legally monitored by the state intelligence service (EYP).
Legal experts have found no evidence suggesting that EYP or the Counterterrorism Division coordinated or colluded with the firms or private individuals using the illegal Predator software.
EYP officials, including former director Panagiotis Kontoleon, have denied ever acquiring, leasing, or using the Predator software in any way.
SYRIZA
Tensions persist within the main opposition SYRIZA party as it is clear that MP Pavlos Polakis was expelled from the opposition party’s parliamentary group by party leader Stefanos Kasselakis but retains his parliamentary seat and party membership.
Some party officials believe this action may be more detrimental than taking no action at all, making the party’s moves appear comical.
Polakis’ most ardent supporters are urging him to establish a new party. However, Polakis understands that, for the time being, he lacks the resources to do so and that staying within SYRIZA is the only way to remain politically relevant. He is expected to bide his time to allow tensions with the party president to ease.
