The proposal of SYRIZA to hold a referendum on the PPC issue so as to withdraw the bill to be voted may cause strong political impressions but without institutional value. Even if SYRIZA gathers 120 signatures of MPs in order to begin the debate in the Parliament, it is unlikely – with the existing power relationships – to get 180 positive votes so as the proposal will be accepted.

However, SYRIZA noted that they are aware of the parliamentary force that opposition parties can gather and explained that by proposing a referendum they aim to start a three-day debate in the Parliament in order to prove the national need of maintaining the public nature of PPC.

In every case, though, there is no possibility of starting immediately any parliamentary procedure, according to the Greek Constitution and the Rules of the Parliament, since a possible debate on the referendum requires a plenary session.

It should be noted that the first plenary session of the Parliament would be held on the first Monday of October.

Also, the proposal does not intend to block the bill since Constitution provides the possibility to hold a referendum for a voted bill, too.

Initially, 120 signatures must be gathered, which is the greatest challenge for the opposition. In practice SYRIZA is looking for 49 additional MPs apart from the 71 that its party has.

However, even if SYRIZA gathers the required signatures, it is unlikely to get 180 positive votes that it needs, as this requires the support of MPs of the coalition government. On the other hand, there are some who argue that it would be interesting to see on which side Mr. Giorgos Papandreou would be since the former prime minister has supported the idea of a referendum, but with personal political cost.