NEWS

SYRIZA tweaks citizenship bill to maximize support

In a bid to earn support from opposition parties as well as coalition partner Independent Greeks (ANEL), leftist ruling SYRIZA intends to tweak its citizenship bill by placing one of the provisions into a separate article.

The provision, which is opposed by nationalist ANEL as well as centrist To Potami, foresees second-generation migrants being eligible for citizenship once they have enrolled at elementary school, provided one of their parents has a residence permit.

This tactical move, observers say, will allow ANEL to vote on article 1 (on the eligibility conditions for second-generation migrants) without needing to approve the specific provision.

Speaking to Kathimerini, sources in the Interior Ministry played down ANEL’s reluctance.

“This does not mark a split but a sign rather of political maturity. The cohesion of the ruling majority is not in doubt,” one source said.

The bill is to be submitted to Parliament on Wednesday.

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