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Many of the SYRIZA MPs are unhappy with the PM’s proposal to limit parliamentary privileges; the removal of personal cars and one out of two police officers guarding each MP’s security have especially caused consternation.

When the Parliament President, Zoi Konstantopoulou, advised deputies on parliamentary rules, including of their duties and entitlements, according to sources disgruntled MPs asked her to ignore the premier’s proposals. They argued that an MP’s car is a ‘work tool’ and the prime minister should not deprive them of it.

Many MPs argued that they could not afford a car of their own, and if stripped of the official one, they would have to travel by public transport. Other MPs came up with a proposal that cars be provided on the basis of financial criteria.

According to the same sources, the President has declared there would be restrictions in any event, but added that currently the allocation of cars will stay the same. The fleet now available is on lease, which expires by the end of the year, so MPs can hold onto their cars until then. 

In a Facebook post, Dimitris Kodelas explained why parliament must provide MPs with vehicles: "I am one of those who weren't given a car from the start; and since my old car began to crumble, I applied for and only got one many months later. I don't think the question is so straightforward. Savings can be made if leasing contracts are vetted, and by choosing smaller and cheaper cars. Being an MP should not imply an opulent life, removed from where the average citizen lives, but on the other hand it should not only be possible for the affluent ones."

Mrs. Konstantopoulou has reiterated her proposal to have the parliamentary premises overhauled, providing the deputies with appropriate work conditions. She has once again raised the issue of removing all offices of former prime ministers and parliament presidents from the parliament’s main premises.

Konstantopoulou disclosed that the offices of former prime ministers Konstantinos Mitsotakis, Costas Simitis and Georgios Papandreou, which are now within the parliament building, without their tenants currently being MPs, occupy 200 square metres.

With only 60 present, mostly first-time MPs who wanted to get acquainted with the parliamentary process, the meeting had no quorum.

Meanwhile, according to other sources, at a meeting of the party’s central committee, Alexis Tsipras levelled snide remarks at SYRIZA members, who insisted on keeping MP’s cars. "I felt pretty bad when I learned about it," Tsipras said. "If we receive €6,000, it is fairly unbecoming to demand another 400 each for a car ... It is evident, comrades, in certain details, whether or not we are like the rest," argued the PM and SYRIZA president.