By Yannis Anifantis

The week began with grumbling and tension for the independent MPs, as whatever field of understanding and cooperation between them seemed to be forming, after the letters for the “8” for their representation at the Conference of Presidents by Michalis Khourdakis, seems to have evaporated .

According to information, Athena Linou, one of the 8 MPs who sent a letter last week, in favor of the Khourdakis proposal, today with a new letter to the Speaker of the Parliament took a step back, withdrawing the trust from the person of the independent – from from the bosom of Plefsis Eleftheria – MP.

At the same time, Pavlos Sarakis – one of the independents who did not send a letter in favor of Michalis Khourdakis – requests with my request to the Speaker of the Parliament “to do the necessary things so that it is annulled, otherwise your decision on the nomination of Mr. Michails is revoked Khourdakis as the representative of the independent parliamentarians at the Conference of Presidents, as not legal, and that the procedure be validly repeated, according to the provisions of the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament”. In fact, the MP – who attempted at the end of the summer to reach an agreement with at least 10 independent MPs for the formation of a Parliamentary Group – claims that according to the Civil Code, a written invitation is required from the presidium of the Parliament to the independents, so that they can declare in writing the person they wish to appoint represent them, which in this case was not done. The independent MP Haris Katsivardas sent a similar letter to the PtB.

However, from the side of the Presidium of the Parliament, it is pointed out that the status of Mr. Khourdakis as a member of the Conference of Presidents remains in force despite the withdrawal of Ms. Linou as he maintains the support of 50% of the total pool of independent MPs. In the event that there is a request for a different person from the remaining 7 independents, then a lottery will be held to select the final representative.

What does the Regulation of the Parliament provide for the representation of independents

The independent Member of Parliament and his deputy are designated at the beginning of each regular session by a joint signed declaration of the independents, which is submitted to the Presidium of the Parliament within three (3) days of their written invitation to this effect. If the independents do not nominate their joint representative or his deputy, the one nominated by the majority of those independents who submitted an individual or joint signed declaration is appointed, and if no one is nominated or two or more are nominated with the same number of nominations, a lottery is held and he participates at the meetings of the Conference of Presidents, the independent Member of Parliament or his deputy, who was favored by the lot.