Appeals by the main opposition New Democracy party for consensus, combined with a proposal for a roll-call vote requested by the Popular Orthodox Rally (Laos) party, and compromise proposals by two high-profile Pasok deputies, led to a clause for rectors’ elections.

The amendment agreed to by Education Minister Anna Diamantopoulos led to final consent by ND, following earlier stated support by Laos and deputies of those affiliated with the new Democratic Alliance grouping.

Following the final reading, the rectors of tertiary education institutions will be elected by all the members of the academic faculty from a list of 2-3 people that will be set up by a relevant council on each occasion. Students’ participation in the election of rectors will not be anticipated.

After a statement by ND that it votes in favour of the bill, in principle, the Laos party withdrew its proposal for a roll-call vote.

A willingness by the main opposition party to support the bill on conditions, was expressed on Tuesday by the party’s rapporteur Aris Spiliotopoulos.

Moreover, the education minister accepted ND’s proposal regarding the election of rectors by the faculty senate, but not the part regarding student participation.

In regards to the university asylum status, she merely reiterated that “with the present clause, asylum is abolished … Of course, a proclamation that academic freedom constitutes a basic principle of the operation of universities remains.”

Radical Left Coalition leader Alexis Tsipras decried that “what happened will be written in the annals: deputies of ND backing Syriza’s unconstitutionality objection and in the end voting in favour of the bill, in principle.”

Tsipras reiterated that the bill is “clearly right wing orientated and neoliberal”.

Democratic Alliance leader Dora Bakoyiannis said her party had already committed to voting in favour of the bill, stressing the necessity for the lifting of the situation, consolidated in universities, within the framework law of 1982; mainly with the establishment of student asylum and the introduction of petty politics into academic life.

Earlier, a protest took place outside Parliament by opponents of the draft law, mostly leftist and out-of-Parliament leftist groups.