All eyes are on the Hellenic Parliament today (24 July 2026), as the second day of plenary debate on the Constitutional Revision is expected to escalate into a high-stakes political showdown between party leaders. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis are set for a direct confrontation, while Rina Dourou — newly elected head of SYRIZA’s parliamentary group — will deliver her official debut speech from that position.
A Head-to-Head Begins
The first sign of what promises to be a sharp exchange came yesterday, when Androulakis accused Mitsotakis of scheduling public consultations for August — the peak summer holiday month — for an issue widely regarded as central to Greece’s parliamentary democracy. PASOK enters the debate with a comprehensive package of proposals, emphasizing that the second, revisionary Parliament must strive for the broadest possible consensus.
Article 86 at the Core
Central to PASOK’s proposals is the revision of Article 86, concerning the prosecution of sitting or former government officials. Under the party’s plan — outlined by MP Charilaos Trikoupis — responsibility for initiating such proceedings would shift to a Special Council, while any resulting trial would take place before a Special Court.
Justice Reforms
On judicial matters, PASOK also proposes amending Article 90 to reform how judicial leadership is elected. The party further calls for a constitutional provision banning retired judges from assuming any public office for four years after leaving the judiciary.
Revising the Revision Process Itself
PASOK advocates overhauling the constitutional amendment procedure itself. Currently, a three-fifths majority is required in either the first or second revisionary Parliament. PASOK argues this supermajority should be mandatory only in the second, revisionary Parliament — the body entrusted with drafting the final wording of each revised article. The party also demands a three-fifths majority for electing the President of the Hellenic Republic.
Non-State Universities and Article 16
Of particular timeliness is PASOK’s proposal to revise Article 16, aiming to constitutionally enshrine the non-profit status of non-state universities — while reaffirming its commitment to strengthening public higher education. Speaking in Parliament yesterday, MP Ntania Giannakopoulou underscored that PASOK is the only opposition party to unequivocally support the operation of non-state, non-profit universities. According to the party, this step is essential to overcome decades of institutional rigidity that have deprived Greece of academic investment and human capital.
Notably, Trikoupis chose to circulate key excerpts of her speech centrally — a move widely interpreted as public backing for Giannakopoulou amid an earlier dispute with MP Lefteris Karchimakis.