ANEL opposed the Ministry of Interior’s draft bill on the acquisition of Greek citizenship during discussion in Parliament.
Right wing ANEL (Independent Greeks) and the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) the so-called "anti-austerity parties" had formed a coalition government. Both parties are strongly against the bailout and its requirements, and have advocated for an end to austerity measures. While bound by their mutual disdain for the bailout program, both parties have vastly different platforms and ideologies regarding a range of issues, including immigration.
The Bill on acquisition of Greek citizenship implements changes to the Code of Greek Citizenship and integrates European Union directives of the acquisition of citizenship and amendments that have been made to the Migration code. The proposed bill would grant citizenship to children born in Greece to immigrants who have lived there for at least five years.
If the financial resources are not enough... then we should opt for the Greek citizens instead of immigrants to provide subsidies. our party is opposing the new bill ANEL MP Nikos Mavraganis said during the discussion.
Anti-racist and migrant rights organizations have arranged a concert to call for full citizenship and equal rights on June as Greece's parliament debates granting citizenship to about 100,000 second-generation immigrants.