An amendment related to offshore companies that the government attempted to tack on to a bill submitted by the Justice Ministry on Tuesday night during parliamentary proceedings caused an uproar from opposition parties.
The controversial modification concerns lifting restrictions on the participation of relatives of politicians in offshore companies with the caveat that the foreign countries are cooperative on tax matters with Greece.
PASOK, the Communist party (KKE), and SYRIZA were critical of the legislative move, arguing the manner in which the government attempted to rush it through raised serious questions about the government’s intentions.
In an interview on Greek TV, PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis sharply criticized the last-minute amendment, arguing it reflected both a lack of transparency and a troubling shift in political ethics.
Androulakis underscored the failure of the relevant minister to provide substantive responses to opposition parties’ concerns, highlighting the irony that New Democracy, which now supports the move, had denounced a similar initiative by SYRIZA in 2016.
“They’re now implementing, through a midnight amendment, the very thing they once condemned. This shows a lack of respect—and suggests they have something to hide.”
SYRIZA claimed the measure could indirectly allow political figures themselves to be linked to offshore companies. If a politician’s relative holds a stake in a foreign company, that company could in turn be connected to an offshore entity.
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) also denounced the amendment. MP Nikos Karathanassopoulos questioned how the government intends to ensure that companies in so-called “tax-compliant” countries are not indirectly tied to entities based in tax havens.
The controversy highlights deepening concerns over legislative transparency and accountability, particularly when it comes to financial dealings related to public officials and their extended circles.
Defending the inclusion of the amendment, Justice Minister George Floridis claimed it would introduce more transparency, pointing out that its purpose was to protect politicians by explicitly excluding them from any involvement in offshore companies, reinforcing transparency, and clarifying previously ambiguous provisions.
The government insists the regulation introduces clearer definitions and strengthens oversight rather than opening backdoors for unethical financial behavior.
