PASOK split over Pierarakis law for private universities

The governing PASOK party in Greece is experiencing a public rift over the Pierarakis law that governs non‑state, non‑profit universities. Senior party figure Leuteris Karachimakis announced a commitment to repeal the law and replace it with a stricter framework, while criticizing Prime Minister Tsipras’ stance. In contrast, MP Nadia Giannakopoulou said the party has not formally discussed repeal, defended the existence of private universities, and likened the current Article 16 restrictions to regimes such as Cuba and North Korea. The disagreement surfaced after recent remarks by party leader Harilaos Trikoupis and has reignited internal factional tensions within PASOK.

The debate centers on whether to maintain the existing legal framework for private higher‑education institutions or to introduce new legislation, a question that could shape Greece’s university sector and party cohesion ahead of upcoming legislative sessions.