The European Commission has issued the government in Athens today issued the government an ultimatum, saying that it must adjust a series of regulations that do not conform with EU rules, ranging from public administration to the award of contracts for computer services. Greece has two months to take the necessary measures, or the country could be hauled in front of the European Court of Justice.
In terms of access to public administration, Athens must put an end to discrimination against citizens from other member states.
Current Greek legislation stipulates that priority for jobs in local administration is given to residents registered in the town in which the jobs are available. The European Commission says that these conditions, though not directly linked to nationality, have an impact on the mobility of EU workers. The same is true of public contracts in computer services, a sector in which the European Commission demands that no direct or indirect conditions of discrimination be imposed for potential candidates from other member states, as occurred during a recent pitch.
The restrictions prevented Greek citizens from enjoying a potentially improved service at lower costs. In the telecommunications sector, meanwhile, there is a problem of excessive bureaucracy, which forbids the easy installation of infrastructure such as aerials, masts, manholes and cables. The result of this is limited development of broadband compared to the EU average.
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