Greek Lawmakers
Greek parliament set to vote on legalising same-sex marriage today
Greece's parliament is set to vote on Thursday to legalise same-sex civil marriage, in a first for an Orthodox Christian country and despite opposition from the influential Greek Church. Opinion polls suggest that most Greeks support the proposed reform, and the issue has failed to trigger deep divisions in a country more worried about the high cost of living. The landmark bill drafted by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis ' centre-right government is backed by four left-wing parties, including the main opposition Syriza. That would secure it 243 votes in the 300-seat parliament. Several majority and left-wing lawmakers are expected to abstain or vote against the reform but not enough to kill the bill. Three small far-right parties and the Stalinist-rooted Communist Party have rejected the draft law. State Minister Akis Skertsos stressed at the opening of the two-day debate Wednesday that most Greeks already accept the idea of same-sex marriages. We are not deciding on change in
 "Greek parliament set to vote on legalising same-sex marriage today")
US speaker Nancy Pelosi invites Greek PM to address Congress on May 17
Pelosi in the letter noted the influence of Ancient Greek ideas of liberty and democracy on the US Founding Fathers when drafting the country's Constitution
 "US speaker Nancy Pelosi invites Greek PM to address Congress on May 17")
Greek parliament approves $3.4 bn worth arms deals with France
Lawmakers also voted in favour of adding six new Rafale fighter jets to an existing order for 18 planes, six of them newly built and 12 that were previously in service in the French air force
 "Greek parliament approves $3.4 bn worth arms deals with France")
Greek lawmakers abolish bonus seat system, lower voting age
As to the abolishment of the 50 bonus seats, 179 lawmakers voted in favour, 83 against and 19 abstained
 "Greek lawmakers abolish bonus seat system, lower voting age")
