The Parliament’s third summer session on Tuesday night passed in principle the draft bill submitted by the Education ministry on “The organisation of the legal status of religious communities and their associations in Greece.”

The discussion will continue on Wednesday, followed by a vote per article and per amendment.

New Democracy, PASOK and Independent Greeks (ANEL) voted for it, while main opposition SYRIZA and Democratic Left (DIMAR) declared “present”, claiming that the bill was overall positive but needed improvements. The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and Golden Dawn voted against it.