A number of deputies are concerned that the Greek government will fall short of the 180 “yes” votes required for the election of Stavros Dimas as president on the third round of presidential elections on December 29. For this reason, amendments to various bills are being submitted to Greek Parliament at breakneck speed so as to tie up loose ends.

The rush in particular concerns legislation that should already have been in affect, such as tax relief for those in the agricultural sector, arbitrary fines for housing, coastal property zone construction licensing, the participation of the Central Union of Greek Municipalities in the National Strategic Reference Framework, etc.

Specifically, over 90 amendments of which 17 were ministerial, were submitted to Greek Parliament until late last night.

Some of these concern:

* An indefinite extension to the deadline for for the legalization of arbitrary action in real estate. This enables the ministries of finance and environment to give an 18-month extension for the exclusion of the demolition of small urban building infringements such as pergolas, barbecue areas, balconies etc.

* The time adjustment for the maintenance of facilities until the completion of works to the Alexandras Avenue football field that has been given an extended lease of operation until 2023 as a result of the non-implementation of programs within the redevelopment framework.

* An extension to the availability status of public sector employees that did not request to be transfered (including those of the municipal police) by March 31, 2015. This means that by then there will be no dismissals.

* An extension to the process for the evaluation of personnel in the public and semi-public sector to the end of next June rather than December 31, 2014.

* An extension to specific categories of distinguished athletes appointed either to the security forces.