Greek government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis highlighted four key points in the ongoing process of constitutional revision, noting that centrist parties will face a historic test. He emphasized the importance of preventing budgets that derail public finances, revising Article 16 on private universities, and ensuring judicial independence.

Regarding Article 16, Marinakis pointed out that Greece has been a unique exception alongside Cuba, and described the establishment of foreign university branches in Greece as a temporary solution.

He also addressed Article 86 on ministerial accountability, stressing the need for independent filters to prevent the referral of ministers to justice being dictated by parliamentary majorities. Another major focus is the method of selecting judicial leadership. Marinakis highlighted the necessity of linking civil servant evaluations with tenure.

“Today begins a top-level process, arguably the most important, which is constitutional revision. This process extends beyond the current parliamentary session into the next. All political forces, including the governing majority and opposition parties, will face history. Each will be tested individually and collectively,” Marinakis said. “We do not want a routine constitutional revision. The Prime Minister, as head of New Democracy and the parliamentary group, seeks a revision with maximum consensus, which is essential. This will create a new governance model. I highlight four key points.”

Four Main Points of Focus

1. Preventing Populist Budgeting
   Marinakis called it the most critical point: preventing future populists from passing budgets that jeopardize public finances. He warned against returning to policies of excessive spending, which in the 1980s led to massive deficits and the emigration of 650,000 young Greeks.
2. Revising Article 86 – Ministerial Accountability
   The revision aims to establish proper filters for referring ministers, deputy ministers, or government officials to justice, avoiding decisions based on parliamentary power balances. Marinakis noted that in other European countries, judicial referral processes are independent of political majorities.
3. Article 16 – Private Universities
   Greece has remained an exception alongside Cuba, he said. With the temporary allowance for foreign university branches, now is the time to enact a permanent solution through constitutional revision.
4. Judicial Leadership and Civil Servant Evaluation
   Marinakis stressed the need to revise how judicial leaders are appointed and link civil servant evaluations to tenure. This ensures accountability, efficiency, and prevents future governments from eroding public service quality.

“Evaluation is not about punishment; it is about efficiency, consistency, and recognition. Including this in the Constitution protects Greece from future populist governments who might eliminate evaluation and revert to past practices,” he explained.

Consensus and the Historic Opportunity
Marinakis emphasized that constitutional revision requires substantial consensus across parties. Every parliamentary group will propose its priorities, and the aim is to create an effective, forward-looking governance model.

“This is a historic opportunity to prevent Greece from returning to financial mismanagement and populism. The goal is to ensure that future governments cannot jeopardize public finances or burden the next generations,” he concluded.

Finally, regarding the Prime Minister’s letter sent only to New Democracy MPs, Marinakis clarified:

“The letter was addressed to the parliamentary group to co-formulate the governing majority’s proposal, which will later be discussed with other parties for necessary synthesis. This is why the letter comes from the Prime Minister as party leader.”