Greek Parliament passes property tax reform
Greek lawmakers pass property tax reform mandated by indebted country's creditors
ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Greek lawmakers have passed a law on property tax, as demanded by the country's creditors, but the ruling coalition of conservatives and socialists has lost another member when a former conservative minister voted against it and was immediately expelled from the party.
The law passed in the 300-member Parliament Saturday, with 152 lawmakers voting for and 143 against.
It consolidates previous taxes and replaces a property charge imposed in 2011, which was paid through electricity bills.
Immediately after the vote, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras said that a veteran lawmaker and former minister, Byron Polydoras, who voted against the law, has been expelled from the ruling New Democracy party.
The new law envisages that land plots over 1,000 square meters (10, 764 sq. feet) will be taxed for the first time.
