After a debate lasting more than 16 hours, the proposal put forward by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was approved exclusively by New Democracy (ND), while all opposition parties voted against it. During the debate, opposition parties criticised the initiative as hypocritical and submitted alternative proposals, which were rejected.
According to critics, the government’s move aims primarily to diffuse responsibility for the long-term degradation of the primary sector, which they attribute to the policies implemented by successive ND governments.
The Inter-Party Committee will comprise 26 members: 14 from ND, 3 from PASOK, 2 from SYRIZA, 2 from the KKE, 1 from New Left, 1 from Hellenic Solution, 1 from Niki, 1 from Course of Freedom, and 1 independent MP. The committee’s presidium will be cross-party, while ND MP Ioannis Economou has been nominated as chair. The committee is expected to complete its work within four months of its formation.
Closing the session, Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food Yiannis Andrianos argued that the development of the primary sector is not just another public policy, but a national issue. Commenting on the opposition’s stance—voting against the proposal while stating that they will nevertheless participate in the committee’s work—he spoke of contradictions, but underlined the importance of participation.
“Participation is positive, it carries a positive sign, and I believe that something positive will come out of it,” he said.
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