ATHENS — The Health Ministry's bill amending a donation contract between the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) and the Greek state was voted in a Wednesday plenary session in parliament.

The bill, which foresees a 15.1 mln euro donation for the upgrading of the national health system and the tackling of the coronavirus pandemic, was voted by a New Democracy and Movement For Change (KINAL) majority and rejected by the Greek Communist Party, while SYRIZA, Greek Solution and MeRA25 voted 'present' in the proceedings.

Disagreements over the allocations of the funds by the government to programs and hospitals were the reasons cited by opposition parties voting against the bill.

Health Minister Vasilis Kikilias pointed out that "with the ratification of the agreement, the total budget of Stavros Niarchos Foundation's donation reaches 400 million euros, thus highlighting its significant contribution to strengthening the public health system."