Greece’s Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastaurou, fired sharp criticism at **PASOK** from the floor of Parliament during the debate over the opposition party’s unconstitutionality objection to the government’s water management bill.
Papastaurou to PASOK: You declared yourselves “present” for constitutional revision, but effectively chose to be “absent”
“PASOK, which once defined itself as a movement of change and progressivism, has evolved into a party of regression, stagnation, inertia, and blanket refusal. Just days ago, you declared yourselves ‘present’ for the constitutional revision, yet you have effectively chosen to be ‘absent’ from the developments and challenges of tomorrow. You remain trapped in yesterday,” the Minister of Environment and Energy said, launching a full-fronted attack on the main opposition party.
Papastaurou also firmly rejected the unconstitutionality claims surrounding the water bill, arguing that its constitutionality is supported both by the case law of the Council of State and by the detailed report of the Parliament’s Scientific Service — a report which, he said, PASOK is “misinterpreting.”
“Those who support the current fragmented approach to water management should answer to the residents of Sithonia and Volvi. A public prosecutor has already been called in over water quality issues in those areas. Right now, there are citizens drinking water contaminated with coliform bacteria. Are we going to do something about that?” the minister challenged. He made clear that the government is committed to moving forward with its new water management model. It is worth noting that the unconstitutionality objection was ultimately rejected by a majority vote in Parliament.
