Plenary majority rejects claim private universities provision is unconstitutional; debate continues

Petitions calling the new private university bill being debated in parliament unconstitutional were rejected by majority vote, based mainly on the votes of ruling New Democracy on Wednesday.

PASOK-Movement for Change (KINAL) and Plefsi Eleftherias also supported the bill.

Main opposition SYRIZA, Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Greek Solution, New Left and Niki had claimed that the provision of the bill ‘Supporting state universities – Framework of operation for foreign universities’ that allows the founding of private universities contravenes the constitution.

“The bill is absolutely compatible with the constitutional text,” Education Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis said, rejecting the claims.

Discussion on the bill continued late on Wednesday, with voting on the bill expected to take place on Friday.