The Greek Parliament convened in a live‑broadcast session on Tuesday to conduct a second vote on a comprehensive constitutional revision, a development described as the nation’s most significant domestic story this year. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsui addressed legislators, emphasizing the reform’s importance for modernising the state and aligning Greece’s foreign‑policy mechanisms with EU standards.
Parliamentary proceedings
According to Skai.gr, the debate unfolded in real time on the parliamentary floor, with MPs scrutinising 13 articles covering the judiciary, the executive, and the role of the European Union in Greek affairs. The National Herald reported that the vote was the second reading of the draft, a procedural step that, if passed, will send the amendment to a final parliamentary session later this month. No final tally was released during the live feed, but officials indicated a majority in favour.
Political friction over foreign policy
During the session, Education Minister Nikos Androulakis and Prime Minister Mitsui exchanged sharp remarks, a clash highlighted by tovima.com. Androulakis criticised aspects of the proposal that he said could limit Greece’s diplomatic flexibility, while Mitsui defended the reforms as essential for “strengthening Greece’s position in Europe and beyond.” The disagreement underscored internal tensions about how the new constitution will shape Greece’s foreign‑policy decision‑making.
Public‑sector union strike threat
A public‑sector union representing civil servants announced a nationwide strike in response to the constitutional overhaul, according to streamlinefeed.co.ke. The union argued that the draft could erode workers’ rights and public‑service guarantees, and it called for a walk‑out should the parliament approve the amendment in its current form.
The union declared a strike would commence on Thursday if the constitutional revision passes without amendments.
The strike announcement adds pressure on the government, which has already faced criticism for its handling of public‑sector reforms.
Student protests over housing costs
Simultaneously, thousands of university students set up tents outside the Finance Ministry, demanding relief from soaring housing expenses, as reported by both tovima.com and streamlinefeed.co.ke. Protesters claimed that the economic reforms tied to the constitutional changes have failed to address the real‑life cost of living for young Greeks. The demonstration, which began earlier in the day, continued throughout the parliamentary vote, with participants chanting slogans and displaying banners demanding “affordable housing now.”
Police presence remained low, and no arrests were reported, though authorities warned that the protest could be dispersed if it turned violent. The student movement reflects broader social discontent that has accompanied the government’s economic recovery plan since the end of the bailout period.
Implications and next steps
If the second‑reading vote succeeds, the constitutional package will move to a final parliamentary session before requiring a referendum, a step that could reshape Greece’s legal and institutional landscape for decades. Critics warn that the reforms could centralise power and diminish checks and balances, while supporters argue they are necessary to streamline governance and meet EU expectations.
International observers are watching the outcome closely, given the amendment’s potential impact on Greece’s role in regional security, migration policy, and its fiscal relationship with the European Union. The next parliamentary session, slated for later this month, will determine whether the draft proceeds to a public referendum, a decision that could trigger further protests or solidify the government’s reform agenda.
