Greek court suspends private university licenses, colleges demand resignations

Greece's highest administrative court, the Council of State, has suspended the operating licenses of three private universities, citing a lack of transparency in the licensing procedure. The decision has prompted a strong reaction from the Panhellenic Union of Recognized Colleges, which has labeled the situation an "unprecedented scandal."

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Resignations of those involved are the only way forward.

The union, a plaintiff in the legal challenges, has repeatedly highlighted "dark spots and lack of transparency" in the licensing process over the past 18 months. They claim to have sent official notices to the Ministry of Education and related bodies, pointing out alleged irregularities that the Council of State has now seemingly validated.

Following the court's decision, the union directly criticized the leadership of the Hellenic Authority for Higher Education (ETHAAE) and the Ministry of Education. They asserted that resignations from those involved are the only viable path forward and warned that the issue of licensing is far from over, with further legal battles anticipated.

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The Greek people now know the reason.

The union also took aim at statements from the ETHAAE president, whom they accuse of downplaying the seriousness of the concerns. The court's ruling is described as a "slap in the face" to the ETHAAE president, with the union arguing that in any properly functioning state, he should have already resigned. The Ministry of Education's response to the court's decision was also characterized as "particularly interesting," with the union suggesting the ministry framed the right to legal recourse as a concession rather than a constitutional right.

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The ruling is a slap in the face to President Mytkas.