EC warning in the mail
Brushing aside the explanations provided by Athens, the European Commission yesterday launched the first stage of its infringement procedure against Greece over the ruling conservatives’ controversial new law on state tenders. Passed on January 20, the law bans media barons from access to lucrative public contracts and was ruling New Democracy’s proudest achievement during its first year in office, and the keystone in its anti-corruption drive. The College of Commissioners decided to follow the recommendations of Internal Market and Services Commissioner Charlie McCreevy and sent a letter of formal notice to Athens, asking Greece «for its observations on the compatibility with EU law with the law [on tenders].» A Commission statement said the Greek Constitution, as amended in 2001, and the implementing law passed in January, which make it incompatible for major media shareholders to undertake public contracts, are «contrary to both EU directives on public procurement and the EC Treaty.» The statement added that Greece had been granted only two weeks to reply, «given that the law is already producing its effects.» The law will come into effect in July. Government spokesman Evangelos Antonopoulos said Athens would put up a strong fight to defend the constitution. «This is not the first time a government has had a conflict of opinion with the Commission,» he remarked. Officials in Athens now fear that the start of the infringement procedure could lead to the loss of vital EU funding for development projects covered by the tender law. Government sources indicated yesterday that this threat might force Athens to slightly amend the law, a prospect that Public Works Minister Giorgos Souflias seemed to favor. «I would like to believe that what is necessary to prevent a freezing of the works will be done,» he said. Souflias ruffled government feathers last year by criticizing the law in its draft form.
