Samaras

With the EU elections on the horizon, one party in Greece, Greek Solution, is seeing a notable surge in support. The rise of this far right nationalist party also mirrors broader trends in the far right across Europe, and many are beginning to ask whether this resurgent far-right is here to stay.

Former New Democracy prime minister Antonis Samaras vehemently criticized the government's proposed legislation on same-sex couples during a speech preceding Thursday's cross-party vote on the bill. Samaras argued that the bill would significantly alter family law and declared his intention to vote against what he termed a "dangerous draft law." 

The opera "Medge," created by the eminent Greek composer Spyros Samaras (1861-1917), is presented at the Olympia Municipal Music Theater (59 Akadimias) on February 17.

The dispute between the government and Antonis Samaras, a former PM, continued on Monday, with government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis essentially accusing him of inconsistency in words and deeds.

The bill on same-sex marriage has plunged ruling New Democracy and leftist opposition SYRIZA into turmoil.

Indicatively, ND lawmaker Antonis Samaras, a former conservative prime minister, said he opposed the choice of Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis to suggest the solution of abstention to dissenting MPs. 

Former premier Antonis Samaras has indicated that he will vote against a bill legalizing same-sex marriage when it comes before parliament, thus appearing to reject a proposal of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis that government MPs who disagree with the measure abstain in the relevant parliamentary vote.

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.

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.