By Penelope Galliou

The final crash test against the same-sex marriage bill is expected to be passed by the government today, ahead of the passage of the controversial bill tonight by the Plenary session of the Parliament.

The atmosphere in Megaros Maximos is optimistic about the image that the ruling party’s parliamentary group will eventually present as it is estimated that the MPs who will vote in favor of the controversial bill will exceed 100, with the latest calculations raising the said number even to 110.

In particular, the MPs who categorically disagree and intend to persevere until the end, voting against the bill, reach 19, while there are more of those who will choose the option of abstaining from voting, which may reach as many as 39.

According to information, the MPs are leaning towards “no”: Ant. Samaras, An. Karamanlis, K. Karagounis, M. Salmas, An. Katsaniotis, K. Giulekas, T. Karaoglou, V. Yogiakas, M. Chrysomallis, Ioan. Paschalidis, St. Gikas, T. Davakis, M. Charakopoulos, C. Athanasios, G. Karasmanis, Baraliakos, Ev. Stylianidis, F. Arambatzis, T. Leontaridis, without excluding 2-3 of them to finally choose abstinence.

This position, however, to refrain from voting, according to the same information, it seems that the deputies are determined to choose: N. Mitarakis, T. Pleuris, G. Andrianos, D. Kouvelas, G. Georgantas, X. Boukoros, V. Economou, St. Petsas, K. Katsafados, P. Mantas, D. Aktypis, S. Koulkoudinas, X. Kellas, T. Dimoshakis, Ath. Kavvadas, G. Tragakis, D. Kyriazidis, C. Stefanadis, D. Markopoulos, M. Kafouros, D. Kalogeropoulos, M. Papadopoulos, G. Vlahos, M. Konsolas, Eng. Syrigos, Ioan. Yatsios, St. Papasotiriou, G. Kallianos, while the MPs S. Livanos, Ath. Lioutas and V. Vassiliadis appear hesitant about their final position.

Nevertheless, the government staff and the supporters of the disputed bill are still on alert, trying even at the last minute to convince those blue-collar MPs, who express the mildest reservations on the one hand and on the other to remind the staunch dissenters of the alternative that the prime minister himself had given from the beginning of the discussion of the new regulations, the way out of abstaining from voting.

THE Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who from the first moment personally bore the heavy burden of the legislation in question, is expected to present himself in the Plenary Session of the Parliament, arguing on the necessity and legal nature of the specific bill for the marriage of same-sex couples and those of others rights derive from it. At the same time, Prime Minister it is expected to send the necessary messages to the undecided members of the blue parliamentary group and to those who keep their concerns intact in the direction that has already been given. That is, the “dignified attitude” of abstaining from voting, in order to avoid creating political impressions and associations, which in no way, as government agents comment, have anything to do with the cohesion of the faction.

However, everyone’s eyes inevitably turn to his attitude Antonis Samaras, who as he has stated for a long time that he is strongly opposed to the bill and until today his opposition has brought him several times in direct confrontation with Megaros Maximos. Today, the former prime minister is expected to formulate his views and disagreement from the Parliament stage as well, and behind-the-scenes estimates predict that he will make a strong criticism, which will probably not be limited only to the content of the bill, but will extend to more general government policy. According to information, however, whatever stance the former prime minister takes, it is not expected that there will be an immediate and direct answer from the prime minister.

In any case, the magnitude of the reactions and disagreements in the ruling faction, as well as in the other parties that also have intra-party disagreements, will be reflected in the result of the vote on the controversial bill, which will be by roll call and each MP will undertake to raise the weight of his decision and attitude.

It is recalled that in order to be approved, the bill must secure a majority of those present, but this majority must not be less than 75 votes.