After a stormy parliamentary session that signaled mounting political tensions in Greece, lawmakers on Friday rejected a PASOK proposal to establish an investigative committee into telephone surveillance allegations.
The proposal failed after 155 lawmakers voted against it. Only six voted in favor.
The debate opened in an explosive atmosphere after ruling New Democracy lawmaker Makis Voridis argued that because the issue involved the National Intelligence Service, or EYP, and therefore matters of “national defense or foreign policy,” the proposal required at least 151 affirmative votes to pass.
Opposition parties, led by PASOK, reacted sharply.
They argued that parliamentary rules and the revised Constitution allow the opposition to successfully request an investigative committee with support from at least 120 lawmakers.
