A new multibill prepared by the government aims to increase penalties for racially motivated crimes and to allow same-sex couples to enter into cohabitation agreements.

The former was deemed necessary in light of the record refugee arrivals in the country.

The bill, which will be released for public consultation this week, also abolishes the 10,000-euro minimum threshold in damages awarded for defamation claims against media companies. The amount of compensation will now be decided in court.

Meanwhile, newspapers and other publications will now be obliged to publish a correction or apology for any slanderous or defamatory report before a plaintiff can commence legal action for damages.

Source: Kathimerini