Greece launches constitutional revision process with 'bold reforms'

Greece's governing majority, New Democracy, has formally launched the constitutional revision process by submitting its proposal to Parliament. The party aims for "bold reforms" impacting state operations, the justice system, and public administration.

Parliamentary procedures will unfold over the coming days, with the Conference of Presidents expected to decide on initiating the process soon. Political parties will then appoint representatives to an inter-party committee. The committee's work will be officially sanctioned by the plenary session next week, marking the start of its deliberations.

New Democracy seeks to avoid delays, with the first vote potentially by the end of July and the second in late August or early September. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis highlighted the proposal's "bold reforms at all levels." The institutional changes also address artificial intelligence, the climate crisis, and fiscal matters.

Central to New Democracy's proposal are significant changes to Article 86, concerning ministerial criminal liability, by removing the "immediately" clause and transferring preliminary examination authority to a prosecutor. Other key proposals include allowing non-state, non-profit universities under an independent authority (Article 16), establishing a single six-year term for the President of the Republic (Article 30), and reforming the selection process for heads of independent authorities (Article 101A).

Further revisions target the concept of civil servant permanency (Article 103), introducing performance evaluations with rewards and penalties, including dismissal. Article 90 also proposes that promotions to senior judicial positions be decided by a parliamentary committee from a list of the most senior judges, excluding government intervention.

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bold reforms in all areas