University bill to dominate this week’s agenda

The government's university reform bill, which paves the way for private universities to set up branches in Greece, is set to be debated and voted on this week in parliament.

The law will be presented before the plenary and discussed this week, with a vote scheduled for Friday, March 8. The bill lacks support from opposition parties and has sparked mass protests in universities across the country, many of which remain occupied. Several large protests are expected this week.

The government says that the bill does not violate Article 16 of the Greek Constitution, which prohibits the establishment of private universities and mandates that art, science, research, and teaching be free and promoted by the state. It argues that the legislative change only pertains to allowing foreign universities to establish branches in Greece. Constitutional experts are divided on whether...