Antonis Samaras

Before the tumultuous year of 2015, Greece actually came close to leaving the eurozone in 2012, following the election of Antonis Samaras as prime minister. Chancellor Angela Merkel was notably apprehensive about the New Democracy leader's pre-election campaign. 

There was surrealism and a dose of hypocrisy in the debate that preceded the approval of an amendment for the legalization of a number of irregular immigrants who live and work in Greece and who will be granted a permit to work in sectors that are experiencing a lack of hands.

A bill allowing migrants to obtain a three-year residency and work permit as a means to tackle labor shortages was passed by Parliament in a roll call vote on Tuesday.

A former New Democracy prime minister has voted against a government amendment that would enable certain migrants to obtain a three-year residency and work permit.

In voting "no" to the amendment, Antonis Samaras sided with the extreme-right Hellenic Solution, far-right Spartans and religious-fundamentalist Niki parties.

Former conservative premier Antonis Samaras is expected to vote against an amendment included a government bill that allows migrants to obtain a three-year residency and work permit, Kathimerini understands.

Samaras "does not hide" when he disagrees on an issue and "it is self-evident" that he will not choose to be absent, but will reject the amendment, the same source said.

Reaffirming its determination to push through a controversial migration amendment, which has been opposed by former conservative premier Antonis Samaras, the government announced on Monday that it will impose party discipline during a Parliament vote on Tuesday.

Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis has urged New Democracy MPs to support a government amendment aimed at granting work permits to approximately 30,000 irregular migrants. However, he clarified that party discipline will not be a point of contention with former prime minister Antonis Samaras, who has voiced disagreement with the amendment.

Labor Minister Adonis Georgiadis has urged New Democracy MPs to align with the conservative party line and support an amendment aimed at granting work permits to approximately 30,000 irregular migrants.

Former conservative prime minister Antonis Samaras has criticized a government amendment that would grant residence permits to third-country nationals living in Greece for many years without legal documents and working in undeclared jobs.

Samaras, who was premier from 2012 to 2015, said Greece was becoming a "beacon for attracting illegal immigrants" with such legislation. 

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