Coalition concerned by home repossesions ahead of SYRIZA congress

The coalition is searching for a way to prevent primary residences from being seized to pay off debts to the state, as confiscations have resumed following a hiatus, just before the start of SYRIZA's party congress on Thursday.

Government spokeswoman Olga Gerovassili insisted Wednesday that no primary homes would be repossessed by the state if homeowners owed taxes or social security contributions.

However, properties are not protected from the state in the same way that they are safeguarded from foreclosure by banks. Legislation passed last year prevents banks from repossessing homes with a taxable value of up to 180,000 euros, increasing by 20,000 for each child in the household. Government officials have suggested over the past few days that a similar scheme could be adopted to prevent families losing their main home if debts to the state pile up.

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