The majority of the provisions in the bill aimed at supporting borrowers, which were put to a recorded vote in Parliament, were approved by an overwhelming majority, receiving up to 227 votes in favour.

A total of 19 articles received between 158 and 227 positive votes, while the amendment freezing the interest rate at 3% for the repayment of debts under the out-of-court settlement mechanism received 212 votes in favour, 49 against and 27 ‘present’ votes.

Specifically, Parliament approved the following:

By 227 votes (Article 15): Protection for borrowers who meet their repayment obligations against enforcement proceedings, with strict fines of up to €500,000 per borrower for loan servicers that breach the law. The provision was backed by 156 New Democracy MPs, 36 PASOK MPs, 11 SYRIZA MPs, eight MPs from Niki and 16 independents. A further nine independent MPs voted ‘present’, while the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Greek Solution and Course of Freedom voted against.

By 226 votes (Article 38): The removal of time restrictions on the restructuring of business loans guaranteed by the state or the Hellenic Fund for Entrepreneurship and Development (ETEAN/TEPIX). The provision was backed by 156 New Democracy MPs, 36 PASOK MPs, 11 SYRIZA MPs, eight Niki MPs and 15 independents.

By 212 votes (Article 4): The obligation for loan servicers to publish their financial information annually, along with details of how they handle citizens’ complaints. The provision received support from 156 New Democracy MPs, 36 PASOK MPs, eight Niki MPs and 12 independents.

By 204 votes (Article 3): An annual independent audit of loan servicers covering portfolios backed by state guarantees. The provision was supported by 156 New Democracy MPs, 36 PASOK MPs and 12 independents.

By 204 votes (Article 11): The mandatory cooperation of loan servicers with the Hellenic Financial Ombudsman in handling borrowers’ complaints. The provision was backed by 156 New Democracy MPs, 36 PASOK MPs and 12 independents.

By 203 votes (Article 13): The suspension of interest accrual when loan servicers take more than 45 days to provide borrowers with a detailed update. The provision received support from 156 New Democracy MPs, 36 PASOK MPs and 11 independents.

By 201 votes (Article 14): The introduction of a cap on interest accrual and automatic recalculation of the amount owed, without borrowers having to take legal action. The provision was backed by 156 New Democracy MPs, 35 PASOK MPs (with E. Apostolakis voting against) and 10 independents.

By 201 votes (Article 17): The obligation for funds to submit a written and sustainable debt restructuring proposal three months before any auction. The provision was supported by 156 New Democracy MPs, 36 PASOK MPs and nine independents.

By 197 votes (Articles 35 and 36): An increase in the number of instalments available for debts owed to the Tax Authority and the Unified Social Security Fund (EFKA), from 72 to 120.

The provisions received support from 156 New Democracy MPs, 11 Greek Solution MPs, eight Niki MPs and 11 SYRIZA MPs. PASOK and Greek Solution declared themselves ‘present’.

The ministerial amendment 560/134 was also approved by 212 votes in favour. It provides for a fixed interest rate of 3% throughout the repayment period under the out-of-court debt settlement mechanism for vulnerable and eligible debtors, as well as an increase in fines for loan servicers to up to €5 million.

The amendment was backed by 156 New Democracy MPs, 36 PASOK MPs, eight Niki MPs and 12 independents. The Communist Party of Greece and Course of Freedom voted ‘present’.