Nikos Nikolopoulos

As the May 21 elections draw nearer, several parties on the right of the ruling New Democracy are competing for the support of extremist voters. Amid the legal battle to prevent him from running with his newly formed National Party, there has been much speculation about the plans of Ilias Kasidiaris, the convicted leader of the now-defunct neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party.

Independent lawmaker Nikos Nikolopoulos on Friday filed a compaint against the leader of Independent Greeks (ANEL) and former government coalition partner Panos Kammenos.

A total of 152 MPs voted Thursday against lifting the immunity of the independent MP Nikos Nikolopoulos, who has come under fire by groups representing gays in Greece for comments on television condemning gay marriage along with other statements perceived as homophobic.

Only 23 MPs in the 300-seat House voted in favor of him facing prosecution, with 3 voting present.

The new media legislation passed in the Greek Parliament with 154 votes of the ruling coalition parties – SYRIZA and Independent Greeks (ANEL) – and the vote of independent deputy Nikos Nikolopoulos, late on Thursday night.

Main opposition New Democracy, Democratic Coalition, Potami and Centrists Union voted against, with 102 votes in total.

The multi-bill on the 48 prior actions Greece needs to implement in order to receive a 2 billion subtranche benchmarked for Greece was passed in Parliament by 290 lawmakers on Thursday evening with the 153 votes of the coalition government of the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) and junior member Independent Greeks (ANEL).

Independent Greeks (ANEL) MP Nikos Nikolopoulos expressed his intention not to vote the draft law on the prior actions while speaking on Thursday to ANT1 private TV.

Mr. Nikolopoulos stated that he disagrees with the first residence foreclosures and the measures for the social security system.

Time is running out for Supreme Court Prosecutor Efterpi Koutzamani who needs to decide what to do with the file presented to her by former citizens protection minister Giannis Panousis.

The omnibus bill of austerity measures was voted in shortly after 1 a.m. on Saturday despite heated debate. 154 MPs of the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) and its junior partner Independent Greeks (ANEL) voted in favor of the bill, after ANEL MP Nikos Nikolopoulos said he would vote against some sections of the omnibus bill.

Independent Greeks (ANEL) MP Nikos Nikolopoulos announced his rejection of eight of the prior actions. He announced that he would vote to the measures in principle because he feels bound by the recent popular mandate.

Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) MP Nikos Voutsis was elected new Parliamentary president on Sunday by 181 MPs. 113 deputies cast a blank vote and 3 ballots were rendered invaled. There were three abstentions.