The coalition government has caused major controversy with a draft bill that was submitted in Parliament regarding the “definition, management and protection of beaches and shorelines”, which appears to introduce legal provisions that will privatize Greek beaches.
According to demonstrators and pressure groups, the Ministry of Finances’ draft bill legitimizes illegal businesses on the beaches and allows private companies to cover beaches with umbrellas and sun beds as they wish, without having to make any provisions of access for non-paying customers.
Condemnation of the draft appears to be world-wide, with pressure groups from Greece and beyond being formed on social media such as facebook and twitter, with the #savegreekcoast and #aigialosSOS hashtags. Awareness campaigns regarding the issue have also been set up on the Avaaz and change.org websites.
The Ministry of Finances issued a response to some of the allegations against the draft, arguing that the environmental protection of beaches and shorelines will remain with the Ministry of Environment and disputed allegations that the draft will pave the way for the privatization of beaches.
