Greek Parliament passes property tax reform

ATHENS ( Greece): Greek lawmakers have passed a law on property tax, as demanded by the country's creditors, but the ruling coalition of conservatives and socialists has lost another member when a former conservative minister voted against it and was immediately expelled from the party.

The law passed in the 300-member Parliament Saturday, with 152 lawmakers voting for and 143 against.

It consolidates previous taxes and replaces a property charge imposed in 2011, which was paid through electricity bills.

Immediately after the vote, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said that a veteran lawmaker and former minister, Byron Polydoras, who voted against the law, has been expelled from the ruling New Democracy party.

• The new law envisages that land plots over 1,000 square meters (10, 764 sq feet) will be taxed for the first time. 

indiatimes.com
21/12/13
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