In a groundbreaking session of the Greek Parliament, discussions commenced on Wednesday (6/03) regarding the Education Ministry’s bill aimed at fortifying state universities and establishing a framework for the operation of private, non-profit branches of foreign universities.
Anticipated to conclude by Friday, the bill’s passing is eagerly awaited, with interventions expected from the Prime Minister and party leaders.
A significant aspect under scrutiny is the legislation’s stance on the establishment of branches of foreign higher educational institutions.
The votes of New Democracy, the governing party, members are deemed sufficient to quash the constitutional objections raised by opposition parties SYRIZA, Elliniki Lisi, and Niki, paving the way for the establishment of private universities, a concept previously restricted by law in Greece.
Opposition accuses the government of acting unconstitutionally
Socrates Famellos, head of the SYRIZA parliamentary group, accused the government of employing unconstitutional methods and blatant disregard for the Constitution. Famellos argued that the government faces a “serious credibility issue” when asserting the constitutionality of the bill, suggesting a misalignment with constitutional provisions by Prime Minister Mitsotakis.
He emphasized the government’s linguistic play, avoiding the term “private” and opting for “non-state” institutions. Famellos questioned the government’s credibility, stating, “To convince us, Mr. Pierrakakis told us that the Constitution is not a totem,” and pondered why, if such an interpretation of the Constitution was possible, the government had not pursued private universities over the years.
Famellos asserted that the government’s proposed regulations necessitate a constitutional revision, making it clear that SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance opposes any consideration of amending Article 16. He accused the government of bypassing Article 16, distorting its meaning, and suggested that the government labels private entities as “non-state” to conveniently exercise power.
The live parliamentary debate witnessed fierce opposition, with accusations from the opposition of serving private interests. Dionysis Kalamatianos, the SYRIZA rapporteur, called for the withdrawal of the bill, condemning it as a political choice aligned with the neoliberal doctrine of Pissaridis. Kalamatianos argued against treating academic research as commerce, stating, “Academic research cannot be a commodity; it cannot be a business.” He stressed the need to safeguard and strengthen public universities, resisting their subjugation to market forces.
As the debate unfolds in the Greek Parliament, the global academic community watches closely, awaiting the outcome of this pivotal moment in Greece’s higher education landscape.
