Greek lawmakers are set to approve plans to outlaw commercial spyware following weeks of allegations that senior government officials may have been targeted, AP News has reported.
Under the draft legislation to be voted on later Thursday, the use, sale or distribution of spyware in Greece will carry a penalty of a two-year minimum prison sentence.
Speaking in parliament, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis described the reforms as “a bold institutional response to a challenge that… does not only concern our country.”
Reports have emerged in recent months in Greece of multiple members of the cabinet such as PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis, senior officials and journalists, being targeted with spyware.
SYRIZA leader, Alexis Tsipras, brought up these reports in Parliament on Thursday during the debate, clashing with Mitsotakis.
Tsipras described the draft legislation before the house as a “cover-up bill.” He accused Mitsotakis of “cowardice” and “audacity” and demanded that he resign once it is “proven” that he “lied” about whether other political figures are also being wiretapped.
Mitsotakis challenged Tsipras to table a motion of no confidence in the government and reacted to allegations that he had wiretapped members of his own government.
“Is it possible that you are implying that I was monitoring a government minister? Shame on you for even implying it. Do you now feel a little embarrassed?” Mitsotakis asked.
In the end, the Greek PM packed up his papers and left the Parliament Plenary, abruptly ending the surveillance bill debate.
Facing elections before next summer, the government of Mitsotakis’ centre-right New Democracy party has seen its strong lead in opinions polls in recent weeks suffer as a result of the wiretapping allegations and the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Source: AP News and Ekathimerini.
READ MORE: Alexis Tsipras tells EU officials Greece’s wiretapping scandal endangers democracy.
