10,000 commercial properties targeted by auctions

The Greek government is seeking a mild solution in order to start the auctions and not affect the vulnerable social groups. The agenda of the discussion between Samaras and Venizelos is expected to move along these lines.

Reportedly, the economic team is thinking of proceeding in auctioning at least 10,000 real estate items from commercial properties of companies that owe large amounts to the public and freeze, for now, the issue for private individuals.

The technical details of the issue were discussed yesterday at a meeting held with the participation of the two relevant ministers Y. Stournaras and K. Hadjidakis, as well as D. Stamatis from Maximos Mansion but without taking specific decisions.

A pivotal role in the decisions of PM Antonis Samaras is also expected to be played by the attitude of PASOK president Evangelos Venizelos, who is coming at the meeting with some initial data collected by his partners on the number of overdue mortgages, the objective value of properties, how many of them fall in the category of the "first home" and how many are commercial buildings or country houses.

On one hand, all parties of the opposition, PASOK too, with placements by MPs and parliamentary representatives showed that the prospect of changing the status quo will not find supporters in the Greek Parliament. On the other, no New Democracy MP said they might support such a direction.

At yesterday's meeting of the first summer meeting of the Greek Parliament the two legislative amendments for extending the period of suspension of the auctions after December 31 were rejected. A. Loverdos and Ch. Aidonis requested a one-year extension, while Stavrogiannis N. and G. Kourakos proposed an extension until the end of 2016. "They will not be accepted because this is an issue upon which the government is working on responsibly and will give an appropriate solution at the right time," Macedonia-Thrace Minister Th. Karaoglou replied.