Debate over mental health legislation and political acrimony expected this week

Political tensions are expected to escalate this week, both between political parties and within them.

Tensions and mobilizations against a controversial bill proposed by the Health Ministry to reform mental health services are anticipated to peak as the bill is voted on this week.

This occurs amid heightened friction between Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis and the Panhellenic Medical Association due to the severe shortage of staff in the National Health System (ESY) and the minister’s management of the issue.

Additionally, the aftermath of last week’s incident in the Aegean, where Turkish warships were positioned just outside Greek territorial waters near the islands of Kassos and Karpathos, will remain a significant focus for political parties.

The spyware scandal will also continue to dominate political debate, following last week’s revelations and developments.

Mental health legislation

The union representing public hospital workers (POEDIN) has called for a 24-hour strike on Monday and a protest rally in Syntagma Square, timed to coincide with the parliamentary vote on a bill regulating mental health institutions, therapy centers, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs. This strike is supported by the public servants’ umbrella union, ADEDY.

Health experts and professionals oppose the proposed changes, arguing that they will render mental health services dysfunctional by transferring jurisdiction from public hospitals to regional health departments.

Psychiatric hospitals will also lose their independence as they come under the oversight of regional health departments.

Spyware

Opposition parties are likely to focus on the spyware scandal following the revelation that among the 116 cellphone numbers illegally tapped, 28 were also legally monitored by the state intelligence service (EYP).

Legal experts have found no evidence suggesting that EYP or the Counterterrorism Division coordinated or colluded with the firms or private individuals using the illegal Predator software.

EYP officials, including former director Panagiotis Kontoleon, have denied ever acquiring, leasing, or using the Predator software in any way.

SYRIZA

Tensions persist within the main opposition SYRIZA party as it is clear that MP Pavlos Polakis was expelled from the opposition party’s parliamentary group by party leader Stefanos Kasselakis but retains his parliamentary seat and party membership.

Some party officials believe this action may be more detrimental than taking no action at all, making the party’s moves appear comical.

Polakis’ most ardent supporters are urging him to establish a new party. However, Polakis understands that, for the time being, he lacks the resources to do so and that staying within SYRIZA is the only way to remain politically relevant. He is expected to bide his time to allow tensions with the party president to ease.

Council of State

The Greek Council of State, the country’s highest administrative court, will suspend its operations from August 1 to August 9 to temporarily relocate to new premises while maintenance work is conducted at its headquarters.

Unions oppose mental health reform measures

The union representing public hospital workers, POEDIN, has called a 24-hour strike on Monday and is organizing a protest rally at 11 a.m. on downtown Athens’ Syntagma Square.

The action coincides with a vote in Parliament on a controversial bill reforming mental health services. Critics of the plan say it will render mental health services unfunctional by transferring jurisdiction for their operation from public hospitals to regional authority health departments.

Psychiatric hospitals will also lose their independence by being brought under the oversight of regional health departments, critics add. The new legislation will also affect drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs.

POEDIN’s strike is being backed by the public servants’ umbrella union, ADEDY.