Government faces fresh pressure as 15 ruling party MPs challenge online travel platforms

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is facing renewed internal pressure after 15 lawmakers from the ruling New Democracy Party (ND) submitted a parliamentary question calling for stricter oversight of online travel and booking platforms.

Addressing Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos and Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, the MPs argued that the business practices of major online travel platforms have created unfair competition and placed significant pressure on hotels and tourism accommodation providers.

The lawmakers highlighted concerns over high commission fees, misleading commercial practices and the dominant market position of digital booking platforms, arguing that these factors have left many small and medium-sized tourism businesses increasingly dependent on a handful of online operators. They warned that this dependence has resulted in what they described as a "stifling control" over the market.

According to reports, the parliamentary initiative was led by New Democracy MP Spiridon Kyriakis. The draft was completed last Friday, while signatures from the remaining lawmakers were collected on Monday during the New Democracy Parliamentary Group meeting, a timing widely viewed as reflecting growing unease within the governing party.

The parliamentary question was signed by Spiridon Kyriakis, Thanasis Lioutas, Periklis Mantas, Andreas Nikolakopoulos, Lefteris Ktistakis, Thanasis Stavropoulos, Maria Kefala, Yorgos Vrettakos, Lefteris Avgenakis, Markos Kafouros, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, Angeliki Delikari, Vasilis Yogiakas, Vasilis Ypsilantis and Filippos Fortomas.

The MPs called on the government to introduce stronger oversight of digital travel platforms, curb unfair commercial practices and adopt new measures aimed at protecting businesses operating in Greece's tourism sector.