Government, opposition clash over environment bill

The conservative government and the opposition clashed in Parliament Tuesday over a contentious bill introduced by the Environment Ministry that seeks to modernize the country's environmental legislation.

The government has said that the bill, which went under public consultation for 13 days, is designed to solve chronic environmental law problems by simplifying licensing procedures and ending years of inconvenience for Greek citizens. It foresees changes to regulations regarding land uses, environmental licensing and the management of protected areas.

Speaking in Parliament Tuesday, Environment Minister Kostis Hatzidakis said the proposed measures will help Greece attract investment necessary to overcome the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

Opposition lawmakers accused the New Democracy administration of fast-tracking regulations in the midst of...