Decision on PPC referendum debate due today after 139 MPs back proposals

Parliamentary speaker Evangelos Meimarakis and the House’s deputy speakers are due to meet at 2.30 p.m. to decide whether MPs should debate and vote on a referendum on the privatisation of the Public Power Corporation (PPC).

Parliament narrowly approved on Wednesday the sale of 30 percent of PPC but immediately afterwards opposition parties submitted proposals for a referendum.

A total of 139 MPs backed the various proposals, which is more than the 120 minimum needed for Parliament’s plenary to be recalled and a vote to be held.

However, the support of the deputies in question is split between seven different requests and it is not clear if they can be aggregated to count as one. Parliament’s Scientific Service, a team of experts that advises the parliamentary speaker, is due to deliver its assessment before Meimarakis convenes Thursday’s meeting.

If a debate on a referendum is held, a minimum of 180 MPs will have to vote in favor of a plebiscite taking place for Greeks to be given a chance to decide on whether PPC should be sold off to investors.