Thanassis Papachristopoulos

Panos Kammenos, the leader of the nationalist Independent Greeks (ANEL), said on Friday evening he will eject MP Thanassis Papachristopoulos from the party after his speech in parliament, which is debating the ratification of "North Macedonia's" NATO accession protocol.

The Greek Parliament's Scientific Council on Thursday rejected a request by Independent Greeks (ANEL)'s chief Panos Kammenos to amend a regulation stipulating that the MPs in any parliamentary group (minimum of five) must have all been voted into Parliament with the same party.

Thanassis Papachristopoulos, a deputy of the nationalist Independent Greeks (ANEL), will reportedly relinquish his seat in Parliament on Friday, after lawmakers vote on the crucial NATO accession protocol of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia which will complete Greece's ratification process, Kathimerini has learned.

The leader of nationalist Independent Greeks (ANEL), Panos Kammenos, told deputy Thanassis Papachristopoulos on Thursday that if he does not give up his parliamentary seat by Friday he will be expelled from the party.

Six Greek independent lawmakers who backed the government in a confidence vote on January 16 told Parliament President Nikos Voutsis they will approve any future legislation submitted by ruling SYRIZA, thus ensuring its majority in Parliament.

Greek police arrested late Monday night a man who, according to authorities, had sent threatening messages to independent lawmakers and those from the junior coalition party Independent Greeks (ANEL) who have stated they will support the Prespes deal, state-run news agency ANA-MPA reported.

Independent Greeks (ANEL) MP Thanassis Papachristopoulos confirmed on Monday he will support the name accord between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in a parliament vote before giving up his parliamentary seat.

In comments to Skai television on Monday, the vice president of the Independent Greeks (ANEL) junior coalition partner, indicated that any ANEL ministers who retain their cabinet positions following the departure of ANEL leader Panos Kammenos "have received political trade-offs."

The U-turn this week by the right-wing Independent Greeks (ANEL), SYRIZA's right-wing coalition partner, on a Justice Ministry bill paving the way for transgender people to be formally recognized by the gender they identify as, reflects the decision by the two party leaders to close ranks in the face of growing speculation from the opposition over the government's unity. 

The Independent Greeks (ANEL) party, SYRIZA's right-wing coalition partners, made a U-turn Tuesday on a Justice Ministry bill paving the way for transgender individuals to be formally recognized by the gender they identify as.