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GreekReporter.comEuropeΝew Democracy rejects implemention of European legislation approved in 2005

Νew Democracy rejects implemention of European legislation approved in 2005

A few days ago, Alexis Tsipras said in an interview that “if a legal immigrant has spent some years in Greece and is able to sustain himself economically, it is reasonable that he would ask to bring his family.”  Mihelakis, ND’s spokesman, responded that this position was an assault on Greece and a “dangerous third-world like policy.” Everyone can debate whether a legal immigrant should or should be able to bring his family into the country he lives. What Tsipras was expressing, though,  was not his own idea but a European directive adopted by New Democracy.

The directive was first formulated in 2000 and 2001 by the European Commission. Commissioners are appointed by Member states themselves and are not elected. European Council decides only by unanimity. That means that the then Prime Minister of Greece, Costas Simitis of PASOK, did not veto it nor raised substantial opposition to this measure. The problem is that New Democracy incorporated the Directive into Greek law by proposing and electing a law (3386/2005) and later a President’s Order (131/2006) which was officially announced in ΦΕΚ Α 143/13.7.2006. So, the Directive that Tsipras said he wants to use was incorporated by New Democracy in Greek law but never actually went into effect as the state agencies remained extremely hostile to refugees and immigrants.

The question raised is: what kind of Pro-EU party condemns a proposal which it has already voted for in 2005 and 2006 after eventually adopted at the EU level? After Samaras assumed leadership of New Democracy, beating Bakoyiannis as its opponent, New Democracy has veered towards ultra-nationalism, anti-immigration and political conservatism which has not been seen since Mr. Karamanlis who tried to turn the party towards a more politically liberal course. Perhaps ND should start thinking that the notion of “Europe” is not only about austerity and neon-liberalism but about human rights, rule of law and social welfare as well.

Source:  (Tvxs.gr, EurLex, European Commission, Greek Ministry of Internal Affairs)

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