Alternate Immigration Policy Minister Tasia Christodoulopoulou told a parliamentary committee that the number of beneficiaries from the new bill foreseeing the granting of Greek citizenship for second-generation immigrants will be less than 100,000. Speaking during a debate on the draft legislation she defended the bill, stating that its adoption will send a message of “social inclusion and acceptance”.

The bill that goes to vote next week stipulates that applicants must be enrolled at a Greek primary school with at least one parent living legally in Greece for five years prior to the applicant’s birth.