‘Small PPC’ bill to go to Parliament on Thursday, amid reactions
A draft bill aimed at paving the way for the break-up and partial privatization of Greece’s national electricity producer, Public Power Corporation (PPC), is due to go to Parliament on Thursday.
The “Small PPC” plan foresees the splitting of production capacity and clientele from PPC to form a smaller rival company that will be sold to a private investor. It is a politically sensitive issue that has already sparked reaction not just from the opposition but also from within the camp of junior coalition partner PASOK, with several deputies, mostly representing the region of Western Macedonia where the bulk of PPC’s production capacity is located, voicing their objections to the scheme.
PASOK chief Evangelos Venizelos is due to meet with protesting MPs on Monday to discuss proposals for changes to the bill before it is submitted.
The plan for PPC is without doubt the biggest reform in the Greek energy sector and is entering its final stage following the tender for the sale of the Independent Power Transmission Operator (ADMIE).
It has not been decided whether the bill be voted on by the first summer session, which ends on July 10, or by the second, which commences on July 22.
Meanwhile, PPC unionists on Monday said that they will be launching 48-hour rolling strikes on Thursday to coincide with the start of the debate.
