Political System in Greece

•Country Bio-Third Greek Republic

•Executive Branch(President, Prime Minister , Government , Ministries)

•Legislative Branch(Reinforced Proportional System-Greek Parliament

•Judicial Branch

•Administrative Divisions

Country Bio-Third Greek Democracy • Territory: 131.957 km2• Population: 10.816.286 millions• Formation: 1. Independence declared from the Ottoman Empire: 1 January 1822 2. Recognized: 3 February 1830 3. Current Constitution : 11 June 1975• Head of state-President of the Republic: Karolos Papoulias • Head of Government-Prime minister: Antonis Samaras• Official Languages: Greek• Religion: Eastern orthodoxyThe  Constitution of Greece is Presidential Parliamentary Democracy with the Prime Minister of Greece is the head of government and the party system. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Hellenic Parliament. Between the restoration of democracy in 1974 and the Greek government-debt crisis(elections 2012)  the party system was dominated by the liberal-conservative New Democracy (Νέα Δημοκρατία – Nea Dimokratia) and the social-democratic Panhellenic Socialist Movement (Πανελλήνιο Σοσιαλιστικό Κίνημα – Panellinio Sosialistiko Kinima, ΠΑΣΟΚ/PASOK). The Constitution of 1975 includes extensive civil liberties and defines as Head of State the President of the Republic who is elected by the parliament. The structure of the Greek government is similar to that of many Western democracies, and is described as a compromise between the French and the German model. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet have a central role in the political process, while the President is mostly ceremonial role, with some (limited) legislative and executive powers. Voting is compulsory in Greece, although in practice the failure to vote shall not be punished. Greek politics is often described as dynastic, with long-established political families controlling the positions of power. This is certainly true for the Prime Ministers, but there are many Ministers and Members of Parliament with no relation to political families.*Third Greek Republic considered in the political history of the Greece the democratic constitution that was established in the country after the dictatorship of 1967-1974.

Executive Branch-President of the Republic President of the RepublicThe President of the Republic is the supreme ruler of Greece. The position of the President was in the periods 1924-1935 and 1973-present, periods in which Greece hasn’t supreme lord king. Since the constitution of 1975, the President is elected for five years and the election of the same person authorized only once. Furthermore, under the Constitution of 1975 was set for the last time the precise role of the President of the Republic, but his powers were limited largely to the revision of the Constitution in 1986. Today his role is more symbolic and ceremonial. The election of the President shall be made by the Greek Parliament and the only candidates proposed by the parliamentary groups. The current President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias.The rules of electionThree votes are required for the election of President of the Republic. In the first two votes is necessary a majority of ⅔ (200 votes). In the third and final vote is needed a majority 3/5 of MPs (180 votes). Although the third ballot be ineffective, Parliament dissolved and the last President declared parliamentary elections within 30 days. The new Parliament immediately repeats the vote for President of the Republic and needed 3/5 of votes in the first ballot, an absolute majority (151 MPs) in the second and a simple majority in the third and final vote. The system is designed to be promoted candidate presidents, involving mutual agreements, of the main political parties.

Executive Branch-President of the RepublicConditions of eligibility1. It is required to be a Greek citizen for at least five years2. It is required to have a parent of Greek origin3. It is required to have reached the fortieth birthday4. It is required to have the legal capacity to be voted•Once the above conditions are met, can anyone be proposed by the parliamentary groups for the post. Although is necessary to give oath before the House in accordance with orthodox Christian doctrine (Article 33 Fri the 2nd), holds the view that there is a condition religion of the candidate. For the conclusion, the President of the Republic can’t participate in the election that followed because of his resignation

Responsibilities of the President•The responsibilities of the President of the Republic today is quite limited compared to the past as we mentioned and earlier. It should be noted that, unless specific exceptions, in the exercise the powers he never acts alone, but always with the endorsement of the competent minister, who is the only politically responsible. Among the powers are included:

1. The appointment of the Prime Minister, the other members of the Government and State Secretaries 2. The assignment of exploratory mandates for the possibility of forming a Government in order to enjoy the confidence of the House3. The exemption of government from office4. The convocation of a parliamentary session5. The dissolution of Parliament and the calling of elections6. The adoption and publication of bills or law proposals voted by the Hall in order to become state laws7. The referral to the House voted bill or law proposal8. The issue of decrees and of legislative acts9. The notice of referendum10. The direction of proclamations to the people 11. The grace, conversion or mitigation of sentences imposed by the courts12. The declaration of war13. The conclusion of agreements of peace, alliance and participation in international organizations

Executive Branch-President of the Republic

Useful-Historic Information•From 1974 until today have been elected by parliament as president of the Republic six politicians:

1. Michail Stasinopoulos(1974-1975)2. Konstantinos Tsatsos(1975-1980)3. Konstantinos Karamanlis(1980-1985 and 1990-1995)4. Christos Sartzetakis(1985-1990)5. Kostis Stephanopoulos(1995-2005)6. Karolos Papoulias(2005-2015)

Executive Branch-Prime MinisterPrime Minister•Prime Minister, if even theoretically has a position primus inter pares in the cabinet, in reality his role is greatly enhanced the parliamentary system. The current system puts the Greek prime minister in the center of the executive power, to the point to be considered an institution. The dominant position in the cabinet has elected Prime Minister in primus solus against other members. This superiority of the Prime Minister in the political system resulting both from the increased responsibilities that the constitutional legislator himself grants the relevant entity's prime minister, the other by the nature of things, the history and the present political reality. The Prime Minister is responsible for the coordination and implementation of the government project. When the Constitution is subject to jurisdiction to safeguard the unity of the government and to direct actions the implementation of Government policy within the framework of the Constitution and laws. These increased powers and responsibilities that make the each institution of the prime minister's main policy figure in the political system.

•Greek parliamentary politics hinge upon the principle of the "declared confidence" (δεδηλωμένη in Greek) of Parliament to the Prime Minister and his/her administration. This means that the President of the Republic is bound to appoint as Prime Minister a person who will be approved by a majority of the Parliament's members (i.e. 151 votes). With the current electoral system, it is the leader of the party gaining a plurality of the votes in the Parliamentary elections who gets appointed Prime Minister. An administration may, at any time, seek a "vote of confidence"; conversely, a number of Members of Parliament may ask that a "vote of reproach" be taken. Both are rare occurrences with usually predictable outcomes as voting outside the party line happens very seldom.

•Conditions of eligibility:1. It is required to be a Greek citizen, 2. It is required to have the legal capacity to be voted 3. It is required to have completed 25 years of age at the date of his appointment as prime minister.

Executive Branch-Prime MinisterResponsibilities:Under the Constitution, the Prime Minister:1. Proposes the appointment and dismissal of ministers and deputy ministers and only the Prime Minister shall appoint his deputy, if necessary.2. Endorses the decree in order to release the Government from its offices3. Endorses the decree for the dissolution of Parliament and the decree to call general elections 4. Chair the Council of Ministers 5. Ensures the unity of the Government and directs the actions and the public services in general, in order to succeed the implementation of government policy under the law. 6. Defines precisely the government policy under the cabinet Board7. Ordinates the implementation of government policy8. Solves the disagreements among ministers9. Represents the Government and presides over the Council of Ministers10. Supervises the implementation of laws by the public sector services to the interests of the State and citizens11. Gives permission for publication in the Government’s Newspaper of each text whose publication is prescribed by law 12. Exercises any other powers provided by the Constitution and laws of State.

Executive Branch-Prime MinisterE.Ρ.Ε ΚΑΙ ΕΝΩΣΙΣ ΚΕΝΤΡΟΥ

14.Antonis Sam aras(1951-today) 20 June 2012-todayNew Dem ocracy,supprted by PASOK AND DIM AR(support of

DIM AR until 21.06.13

PASOK

12.Loukas Papadim os(1947-today) 11 Novem ber 2011-16 M ay 2012 PASOK,N.Dem ocracy,LAOS(su

pport from LAOS UNTIL 10.2.1213.Panagiotis

Pikram m enos(1945-today) 16 M ay 2012-20 June 2012 Transitional Governm ent

PASOK10.Konstantions A.

Karam anlis(1956-today)1.10 M arch 2004-19 Septem ber 20072.19 Septem ber 2007-6 October 2009

New Dem ocracyNew Dem ocracy

New Dem ocracy

8.Andreas Papandreou(1919-1996) 13 October 1993-17 January 1996 PASOK

9.Konstantions Sim itis(1936-today)

1.22 January 1996-25 Septem ber 19962.25 Septem ber 1996-13 April 20003.13 April 2000-10 M arch 2004

PASOKPASOK

New Dem ocracy,Coalition of the Left

5.Ioannis Grivas(1923-today) 12 October 1989-23 Novem ber 1989 Transitional Governm ent6.Xenophon Zolotas(1924-

2004) 23 Novem ber 1989-11 April 1990 N.Dem ocracy,PASOK,Coalition of the Left

New Dem ocracyNew Dem ocracy

3.Andreas Papandreou(1919-1996)

1.21 October 1981-5 June 19852.5 June 1985-2 July 1989

PASOKPASOK

2.Georgios Rallis(1918-2006) 1.10 M ay 1980-17 Septem ber 19812.17 Septem ber 1981-21 October 1981

4.Tzannis Tzanettakis(1927-2010) 2 July 1989-12 October 1989

7.Konstantinos M itsotakis(1918-today)

11.Georgios A. Papandreou(1952-today) 6 October 2009-11 Novem ber 2011

11 April 1990-13 October 1993

ΝAM E1.Konstantinos G.

Karam anlis(1907-1998)1.24 July 1974-21 Novem ber 1974

2.21 Novem ber 1974-28 Novem ber 1977

Party

3.28 Novem ber 1977-10 M ay 1980

Length of term

New Dem ocracyNew Dem ocracy

Executive branch-Greek GovernmentThe Greek Government •The Government of Greece is called the College of the Greek state with the task of defining and directing the general policy of country, as defined by the Constitution and laws. The Government is the highest, after the President of the Republic, body of executive power and basically the main instrument for the governance of the state, after the President of the Republic does not participate in the making of political decisions. The Government consists of the Council of Ministers, which is composed of the Prime Minister and ministers. The deputy ministers in the Constitution may be members of the Government but the current legislation does not include them in this list. Apart from the Cabinet, there are and other collective government institutions such as the Government Commission and the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense, which process particular issues of government policy.

•The Composite of the Government1. Prime minister: Αντώνης Σαμαράς2. Vice President-Minister of Foreign Affairs: Ευάγγελος Βενιζέλος3. Minister of Finance: Γκίκας Χαρδούβελης4. Minister of National Defense: Νικόλαος Δένδιας5. Minister of Interior: Αργύρης Ντινόπουλος6. Minister of Development, Competitiveness, Infrastructure, Transport and Networks: Κώστας Σκρέκας7. Minister of Education and Religious Affairs: Ανδρέας Λοβέρδος8. Minister of Culture and Sport: Κωνσταντίνος Τασούλας9. Minister of Administrative Reform and Electronic Governance: Κυριάκος Μητσοτάκης10. Minister of Health: Μάκης Βορίδης11. Minister of Labor, Social Security and Welfare: Γιάννης Βρούτσης12. Minister of Agricultural Development and Food: Γεώργιος Καρασμάνης13. Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks: Μιχάλης Χρυσοχοϊδης14. Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change: Γιάννης Μανιάτης15. Minister of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights: Χαράλαμπος Αθανασίου16. Minister of Public Order and Citizen Protection: Βασίλειος Κικίλιας17. Minister of Tourism: Όλγα Κεφαλογιάννη18. Minister of Shipping and Aegean: Μιλτιάδης Βαρβιτσιώτης19. Minister of Macedonia and Thrace: Γιώργος Ορφανός20. Minister of State: Δημήτρης Σταμάτης

Executive branch-Greek Government 

Greek Government-Ministries:1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2. Ministry of Finance3. Ministry of National Defense4. Ministry of Interior5. Ministry of Administrative Reform and Electronic Governance6. Ministry of Development, Competitiveness, Infrastructure, Transport and Networks7. Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs8. Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change9. Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Welfare10. Ministry of Health11. Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food12. Ministry of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights13. Ministry of Public Order and Citizen Protection14. Ministry of Culture and Sports15. Ministry of Tourism16. Ministry of Shipping and Aegean17. Ministry of Macedonia and Thrace18. Ministry of State

Legislative Branch•The Greek Parliament is elected by universal suffrage for all citizens over 18 years. It has 300 members that are elected to four-year term by reinforced proportional system in 48 polyhedral constituencies, 8 single-seat constituencies and a ballot territory. 288 of the 300 MPs are elected directly by the people, as citizens can indicate their preference for "crucifying" the name of MPs on the ballot. The remaining 12 seats are elected from frozen combinations (lists) for the whole territory and called Members of Parliament of State.

* The Greece is divided into 56 constituencies. Each prefecture is a constituency except the prefectures of Attica and Thessaloniki. The prefecture of Attica is divided into five constituencies: the First Athens, Second Athens, the first Piraeus, the second Piraeus and Athens. The Prefecture of Thessaloniki is divided into two constituencies: the First Thessaloniki and the Second Thessaloniki.•This election law stipulates a complex system of reinforced proportional representation which does not favor the creation of small parties and allows a parliamentary majority even if the first party in votes didn’t receive an absolute majority of the popular vote. Each party must receive at least 3% of the vote to elect MPs. The first party in the elections has the ability parliamentary majority (151 MPs), as long as to obtain at least 41% of the popular vote. This system enhances the stability of government.

•The election law can be changed by a simple parliamentary majority, while the new electoral law does not apply to the next election but the one after that, unless (the law) passed by ⅔ majority of MPs.

Legislative BranchThe Greek Parliam entary Today G overnm ent: (155) New Dem ocracy (127) P.A.S.O .K (28) O pposition: SY.RIZ.A. (71) M inor O pposition: A.DI.B (17) X.A. (16) ΑΝ.ΕL. (12) Κ.Κ.Ε. (12) DIΜ .ΑR. (10) Independents (7)

Administrative DivisionsAdministrative divisions:

Description of the image: The new division under the "Kallikrates". Each colour corresponds to region. With black line separated peripheral modules (except Attica),with white municipalities (excluding conurbations of Athens and Thessaloniki).

Administrative DivisionsThe current administrative division of Greece was configured by “Kallikratis” Programme and has been in force since 1 January 2011. According to this, the country is divided into seven devolved administrations, thirteen regions and 325 municipalities. Regions and municipalities are self-governing entities, i.e. their authorities are elected by universal suffrage from registered residents.More specifically:•1. First level of agency of local government (O.T.A) is the "municipality". Municipality is administered by the mayor and the city council and these are elected every five years by universal suffrage. Each municipality is divided into compartments that called "municipal units" and these in their turn are divided into "communities". The latter have their own boards, but their role is advisory and can’t make decisions.

•2 .Secondary O.T.A is the "periphery" (region) which corresponds to a large geographical area of the country. Periphery is administered by the governor (περιφερειάρχης) and the regional council and these authorities are elected every five years by universal suffrage among the registered residents of the municipalities falling in the region. Each region is divided into "regional units", which usually coincide with the counties. Furthermore, each regional section has its own deputy governor (αντιπεριφερειάρχης) derived from the electoral combination of Prefect.

•3. The "decentralized administration" is not a government’s institution but one institution of decentralization of the state. Includes from one to twelve counties and the chief (with the title "Secretary") shall be appointed by the Government and brings together all decision-making powers. On the other side, the Council, which consists of the relevant elected governors and representatives of regional associations of municipalities, has mainly advisory.

•The exception to all this is the Holy Mountain, which is a true Greek territory, but self-governed by their own institutions under the Charter of Mount Athos 1924.

Judicial BranchJudicial Branch: •In Greece the judicial branch is divided into civil and administrative courts. Civil courts judge civil and penal cases, whereas administrative courts judge administrative cases, namely disputes between the citizens and the State.

•The judicial system of Greece comprises three Supreme Courts: 1. the Court of Cassation (Άρειος Πάγος), 2. the Council of State (Συμβούλιο της Επικρατείας) and 3. the Chamber of Accounts (Ελεγκτικό Συνέδριο). These high courts are composed of professional judges, graduates of the National School of Judges. The way the judges are gradually promoted, until they become members of the Supreme Courts, is defined by the Constitution and the existing laws. The presidents and the vice-presidents of the three Supreme Courts are chosen by the Cabinet of Greece among the serving members of each of the Supreme Courts.

•The Court of Cassation is the supreme civil and penal court, whereas the Council of State is the supreme administrative court. The Chamber of Accounts has an exclusive jurisdiction over certain administrative areas (for example it judges disputes arising from the legislation regulating the pensions of civil servants) and its decisions are irrevocable. This means that they are not judged at second instance by the Council of State.

The evolution of the political system of Greece from 1822 until today

1. Provisional administration of Greece (1822-1833)2. Greek State3. Kingdom of Greece. Absolute monarchy (1833-1843)4. Kingdom of Greece. Constitutional Monarchy (1843-1862)5. Kingdom of Greece. First Crowned Republic (1862-1924)6. Second Greek Republic (1924-1935)7. Restoration of the monarchy - Dictatorship (1935-1941)8. Occupation of Greece (1941-1944)9. Kingdom of Greece10. Greek State11. Political Committee of National Liberation (Government of the mountain)12. Release -B Crowned Republic (1944-1967)13. Military Dictatorship (1967-1974)14. Third Greek Republic (1974-today)