First Rift in Coalition Over Building of Mosque in Athens

Junior coalition partner Independent Greeks (ANEL) voted against two amendments on the building of a mosque in Athens and tax relief on The Athens Concert Hall. The ANEL lawmakers voted against two amendments at the Greek Parliament on Tuesday night, thereby creating the first rift in the SYRIZA-ANEL coalition. The first amendment pertains to the construction of a mosque in Votanikos area in Athens. ANEL MPs called the building of a mosque “unacceptable and provocative” and Stavroula Xoulidou had asked from the government to withdraw the amendment altogether. The amendment passed finally, with ANEL and Golden Dawn lawmakers voting against it. Agencies