News summary by EUDO CITIZENSHIP expert Dimitris Christopoulos

“My government will suggest the acquisition of the Greek nationality by birth for every individual born on Greek territory,” said the Greek Prime Minister Geórgios Papandréou jr. at the International Migration Forum. The Forum was held in Athens on 3-5 November this year.

For the first time in history a Greek prime minister advocated the inclusion of ius soli provisions in the nationality law. The new government is expected to present a proposal for amendments of the current law in the first months of the coming year. The minister of Interior Yiannis Ragousis has already agreed to have the Nationality Code amended. At this stage, however, it is unclear how far-reaching the government’s proposal for ius soli provisions will be.
According to some reports, the government plans to grant citizenship to about 250,000 children who were born in Greece or who have received basic education in Greek schools. The immigration status of the parents would not be treated as an issue here. However, it is not clear whether the parents would also be granted citizenship, and when the new legislation would be passed.

Read the report in the Times of Malta of 4 November 2009.

The reform is inspired by a new code on Greek nationality launched in January 2009 by the Greek League for Human Rights, the oldest human rights NGO in the country, with the support of Papandréou.

Read the report in Athens News of 14 April 2009.

Papandréou’s declaration already spurred a lively internal debate in Greece. The extreme right-wing party Popular Orthodox Alarm (LAOS) opposes the reform proposal.

Check out the Greek Country Profile.

Visit the website of the Hellenic League for Human Rights (in Greek)