The government has reportedly tabled an amendment transferring the jurisdiction of the commons before the Greek Parliament in central Athens, the area where the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier monument is located, to the defense ministry.

The same reports have the draft amendment, a mere four paragraphs in length, scheduled for debate by the plenum on Tuesday and followed by a same-day vote.

The decision to transfer the monument and the surrounding area’s jurisdiction to the defense ministry is a “hot button” political issue in the country, as the commons between Parliament and Syntagma Square has over the recent period served as the location of a camped-out hunger striker demanding the right to exhume his son’s body. The latter, Dennis Ruci, was one of the 57 victims of the February 2023 Tempi rail collision.

Another part of the commons has the painted names of the Tempi victims written on the surface.

According to reports by “To Vima”, the protected area of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier will cover an area of 4,600 square meters, extending to the sidewalk of Vasilissis Amalias Avenue. The relevant citizens protection ministry, i.e. the public order ministry, will remain responsible for maintaining law and order, while the defense ministry will be responsible for the promotion, maintenance and care of the monument.

Damages or vandalism against the monument and its surrounding area will be prosecuted as misdemeanor violations, with convictions carrying up to a two-year prison sentence.

Responding to press questions over the issue, government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said “we will not take any aggressive action a priori…the goal is not to cause division, but to show respect for the sacred monument.”

Debate is expected to be fierce in Parliament, as most opposition parties have expressed sharp criticism over any legal changes in the site’s status, with some charging a “militarization” of the monument.