The European Commission will refer Greece to the European Court over alleged irregularities by the Public Power Corporation in the award procedure for the construction of a new thermoelectric plant at Lavrion. The Commission believes neither of the two short-listed companies met the conditions of the tender. The project was eventually awarded to METKA. A Greek court recently acquitted the then board of PPC from charges of breach of faith, but reports suggest the board will soon face a new trial, accused of fraud in the Lavrion case.
Separately, the Commission will send Greece three reasoned opinions, one step before referral to the court: regarding the award by the Agriculture Ministry of 24 studies on the protection and management of public forests; the non-application of an EU directive that exempts from withholding tax dividends paid by a subsidiary located in one member state to its parent company located in another; and the imposition of mandatory membership in the Greek National Association of Insurers for all motor insurance companies in Greece.