Athens: Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced plans to change key parts of Greece’s political and public service system in an effort to rebuild voters’ trust after recent scandals and public anger.
Speaking to lawmakers, Mitsotakis said his government wants to review the legal immunity enjoyed by ministers. At present, special rules make it difficult for courts to investigate or prosecute serving and former ministers. The prime minister said these protections should be reconsidered so that politicians can be held accountable like ordinary citizens.
He also proposed rethinking the system of permanent jobs in the public sector. Greece has long offered strong job security to state employees, but the government believes this system needs updating to improve efficiency and performance in public services.
These proposals come at a time when public confidence in politics has been shaken. Anger remains high over the government’s handling of a deadly train crash in 2023, which killed dozens of people and led to mass protests. Trust was further damaged by a corruption scandal last year involving false land claims used to obtain farming subsidies.
Mitsotakis said Greece’s constitution, written in 1975 after the fall of military rule, should be modernised to reflect today’s challenges. He pointed to issues such as artificial intelligence, housing shortages, climate change and slow court procedures as areas that need new legal frameworks.
Changing the constitution will not be easy. The process requires approval by two separate parliaments, and at least one of those votes must reach a high majority of 180 seats in the 300 seat chamber.
The prime minister’s proposals are widely seen as part of his effort to show voters that his government is serious about reform ahead of the next national election, expected in 2027. For now, it remains unclear whether enough political support exists to turn these plans into law.