Lawmakers in Greece’s 300-member Parliament on Thursday approved, by a wide margin, a defense ministry draft bill that includes a provision for the acquisition of a fourth FDI HN-type (Belharra) from France’s Naval Group.
Besides deputies from the ruling New Democracy (ND) party, MPs from the socialist-social democrat PASOK party, the main opposition, as well as lesser opposition parties SYRIZA, Elliniki Lysi and Niki voted in favor, a departure from previous such bill that were passed only with the ruling party’s majority.
In addition, a comfortable majority approved upgrades of several serving warships in the Hellenic Navy.
The Communist Party (KKE), Nea Aristera and the Plefsi Eleftherias parties, all left of center to the far-left spectrum, voted against.
Overall, 243 deputies approved of the legislation during a roll call vote, while 45 MPs voted against and four abstained.
