Final approval for landfill bill
Despite a minor rebellion by government MPs representing Attica, Parliament’s plenary session yesterday passed a controversial new law designating sites for half a dozen new landfills and relay stations for trucks carting away the capital’s 5,500-ton daily trash output. The bill, approved by a parliamentary committee a week ago, stirred up furious reactions among local authorities and residents in areas near which landfills are to be built. Protests have included a central Athens demonstration on Wednesday and a scattering of highway blockages since the government announced in May that it would pass special legislation to name the new sites that are to replace the saturated landfill at Ano Liosia. The new landfill sites are at Mavro Vouno in Grammatiko, Trypes in Polydendri, Vragoni in Keratea-Lavreotiki, Latomeio Kyriakou near Koropi, Skalistiri in Fyli-Ano Liosia and Meletani in Mandra. All opposition parties voted against the landfill bill yesterday, as did four PASOK MPs elected in areas it affects.
