Constitutional reform in Greece enters the next phase: not a single amendment received 180 votes

In Greece The first parliamentary phase of constitutional reform has ended: none of the proposed amendments received 180 votesso the final decision will go to the next parliament.

The second and final vote of the current convocation took place September 16. As confirmed by the official agenda Greek Parliamentdeputies voted on proposals to revise the provisions of the Constitution in accordance with Article 110 of the Constitution and Article 119 of the Rules of Parliament.

Why 180 votes are critical

The Greek Constitution deliberately makes it difficult to amend itself so that no parliamentary majority can rewrite it on its own. According to Article 110 of the Constitutionthe decision on the need for revision must be made in two votes at least a month apart.

If in the current parliament a specific change receives at least 180 votesthe next composition requires an absolute majority of 151 votes for final approval.

But if the proposal passes the current phase only with a majority of over 151 votes, without reaching 180, the situation changes: the next parliament will need a three-fifths majority – 180 deputies. This is exactly the scenario that has now developed for all provisions submitted for revision.

From 158 to 161 votes

In the second vote, support for various provisions was given by 158 to 161 deputies. 293 out of 297 current deputies took part in the voting.

Among the most discussed provisions:

• article 16related to higher education and the issue of non-state universities, received 160 votes;
• article 86 on the criminal liability of ministers – 159 votes;
• article 103affecting the assessment of public sector employees – 161 votes.

Thus, even in areas where the government had hoped for broader inter-party agreement, the required threshold could not be achieved.

Which articles may change

In the next so-called revision Βουλήmore than 30 proposals to amend the Constitution are being passed. These include articles on higher education, the criminal liability of ministers, the appointment of leadership of the judiciary, independent bodies, the civil service, family and housing policy, and postal voting.

Traditionally attracts special attention article 16. Its revision potentially makes it possible to change the constitutional regulation of higher education, which for decades was associated with a ban on the creation of private universities in the classical sense.

Considered no less important article 86regulating the responsibility of government members. Its change has been discussed for many years, since the current order has repeatedly become the subject of political disputes.

What happened politically

The vote showed a lack of broad cross-party consensus. Ruling “New Democracy” insisted on broader support for some of the changes, while opposition parties refused to give the government the additional votes it needed on most provisions.

Before the vote, there was a heated debate in parliament between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the opposition leadership. At the same time, the voting result itself turned out to be practically expected: on not a single article did the political forces manage to form a majority of 180 votes.

What happens next

Now the current parliament has actually completed its part of the procedure. The next composition of the parliament, which will be elected at the next parliamentary elections, will be audit and will have the right to finalize the content of the changes.

But since no article has now received 180 votes, the next parliament will need precisely expanded majority of 180 deputies. This means that political agreements between several parties are necessary.

In the absence of such a majority, the corresponding amendment to the Constitution will not be adopted, even though the current parliament has recognized the possibility of revising it.

Source link