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Parliament Accepts Presidential Referral on Refugee Fund Budget

Published March 19, 2026, 17:11
Parliament Accepts Presidential Referral on Refugee Fund Budget

The plenary session of the Parliament approved the President's referral regarding the budget of the Central Fund for Equal Burden Sharing (CFEBS) for 2026, with 32 votes in favor and 6 against. The referral concerns two amendments related to the transfer of unused funds to the Fund's reserve, which the executive branch deemed incompatible with European law, the fiscal framework, and the Constitution, as they restrict the authority of the Minister of Finance. During the debate, strong disagreements were expressed. Opposition MPs, such as Zacharias Koulias, argued that the Fund's money is intended for the refugee community and should not be returned to the state, while Nikos Kettiros accused the Government of lacking a plan for the loss of funds. On the other hand, MPs such as Kostis Evstathiou disagreed with the referral, arguing that the 0.4% fee was established to support refugees. Giorgos Karoulas of DISY stated that his party would support the referral to ensure the smooth continuation of the Fund's work, but stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to the issue. Finally, Marinos Sizopoulos of EDEK highlighted the political dimension of the issue, while Pavlos Mylonas of DIKO pointed out problems and injustices in the operation of the Fund. The referral was accepted despite the objections, with the aim of not affecting beneficiaries, such as students awaiting loans.