ANNUAL POLICY REPORT 2012 European legislation78. Both the Government partners (PASOK and DIMAR) and the major opposition party (SYRIZA) opposed to this instruction, although for different reasons. For PASOK and DIMAR any initiative should be taken with the consent of all parties that support the government79. For SYRIZA this confirmed the adoption by the government of an "agenda of hate and fear determined by the Golden Dawn ... concerning the only relatively progressive legislation of recent years." 80 It should be noted that in the discussions that took place after the elections of June 2012 between the leaders of the parties of New Democracy, PASOK and DIMAR for forming a government, not modifying the provisions of Law 3838/2010 has been set as a precondition for cooperation81.In the text, however, of their agreement, it is stated that they would proceed to "Adapting the institutional framework for granting citizenship in the light of the contemporary developments and in accordance with the existing legislation in European countries facing similar problems (European South)” 82. On November 15th 2012 the Deputy Minister of Interior, responsible for citizenship matters, sent a letter to the Secretaries Generals of the Decentralized Administrations of the country calling for the suspension of the procedure of granting citizenship (new applications, files’ examination, publication of decisions, oath taking, municipal registration) of all applications for citizenship based on Articles 1A and 24 of Law 3838/2010. In order to avoid the problems that could be caused if citizenship was granted on the legal basis of the contested provisions. This decision provoked the reactions of both government partners and the major opposition83. According to press reports, PASOK found it "unlawful" and “liable to undermine the functioning of governmental cooperation”,84 while DIMAR has voiced strong disagreement and stated that "no leakage or rumours can justify the suspension of a law voted by the parliament" 85. Six Mayors issued a joint statement against the decision (Mayors of Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Volos, Nikaia- Aghios Ioannis Rentis and Ioanniton), considering that this document violates the principle of legality and expressing their intention to "continue to comply with the procedure for the award of citizenship" in accordance with the provisions laid down by the law86. The Ombudsman published a press release noting that the Municipalities and the Decentralised Administrations should implement the citizenship law in force, until it is 78 http://www.imerisia.gr/article.asp?catid=26509&subid=2&pubid=112990050 79 http://www.tanea.gr/news/greece/article/4767907/?iid=2 80 http://www.capital.gr/NewsPrint.asp?id=1665879 81 http://www.capital.gr/NewsPrint.asp?id=1665879 82 http://www.tovima.gr/politics/article/?aid=463892 83 http://www.avgi.gr/ArticleActionshow.action?articleID=733145 84 http://www.tovima.gr/politics/article/?aid=486677 85 http://www.aftodioikisi.gr/kommata/dimar-na-aposirthei-tora-i-aparadekti-egkiklios-gia-tinithageneia 86 http://www.aftodioikisi.gr/ipourgeia/kinisi‐ton‐6‐kata‐egkikliou‐athanasiou‐gia‐ithageneia 36