The view that we should first excavate the Constitution before revising it has been expressed Evangelos VenizelosDeputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs in the period 2013-2015 and professor at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Talking at 8o Delphi Economic ForumMr. Venizelos argued that there are currently no major issues on which the legislator needs to review the Constitution, specifying that no process can begin before the end of November 2024.

Linking the possible revision to the political scene, he noted that there was currently a real problem in that there was no consensus needed to find common ground in order for there to be a real revision of any required provisions. During a discussion with Katimerini journalist Joanna Mandrow, he mentioned an agreement after a majority that would allow a truly reconsidering parliament to form a substantial majority on which any revised provisions would be based. “Liberal democracy should be truly liberal and post-majoritarian, not phobic. There is no agreement at the moment,” Mr. Venizelos said characteristically.

Commenting on rumors about plans to exit the euro and issue a national currency, he stressed that Greece cannot return to 2015 and become a lost sheep again. “We need to join the conversation,” was the message he sent. “We have taken serious steps back in the political culture. The bitterness of the memo years still lingers and the end of the period of toxicity needs to be declared in the public discourse,” added Mr. Venizelos.

In an interview with Ms. Mandrow, Michalis Kalogirou, Minister of Justice for the period 2018-2019, stressed that the government has committed itself to legislating. “The difference in our own proposal was precisely in the conditions for the participation of convicts in the elections. Two amendments were required, which were made before the closing of parliament, because the first agreement was incomplete,” said Mr. Kalogiru.

He emphasized that no government is taking anyone to court, no political leadership can take responsibility for dragging out a trial, no government is condemning or celebrating because the decision was made during his tenure. “Either we will talk about the separation of powers, or we will have petty political narratives,” Mr. Kalogiru added.

Michalis Pikramenos, Vice President of the Council of State, described the Special Court’s decision against former SYRIZA government minister Nikos Pappa as clearly judicial and in no way political. “Evidence was assessed by members of the court. It is a constitutional and a criminal decision together,” said Mr. Pikramenos. He explained that the constitutional part of the decision did not attract attention, the part where the judges set the boundaries between the politician and the minister, especially with regard to radio, television and the press. He added that these interpretative considerations are very important for the functioning of a democratic state.

He said he was open to criticism, stating that he was getting wiser, while at the same time making it clear how the bailiff should not engage in dialogue with political figures. As for the possibility of changing the method of selecting judges, then, according to him, if the judiciary is called upon to elect supreme judges, it may disintegrate, groups and cliques may be created, with all the ensuing consequences for the protection of citizens.

The Chairman of the Greek Court of Accounts, Ioannis Sarmas, expressed the opinion that it is not enough for a judge to be fair, he must also be efficient, making decisions within a reasonable time. “Justice is not delivered quickly for two reasons: firstly, because we have too much to do, and secondly, because the judges are late” characteristically he noted during the debate, which was moderated by Joanna Mandrou, a journalist for the newspaper Kathimerini.

He talked about the war with many battles, arguing that if we lose them, we must solve the problem of the slowness of Greek justice in a different way. “We don’t need more judges, but better procedures and more speed,” said Mr. Sharmas. He added that the Accounts Chamber has so far produced 24 reports on pathologies in the work of the state, such as the work of intensive care units, the home care program, or why banks do not finance the real economy, saying that they could be useful if the recommendations were implemented by the government. .

For his part, Yiannis Ktistakis, Judge of the European Court of Human Rights on matters relating to Greece, argued that if a constitutional review is opened and if the question of fairness is raised, the example should come from the jurisprudence of the European Courts, as they do not understand improvisation . He emphasized that very few people appealed to the delay in the administration of justice, explaining how “Plaintiffs are afraid to displease the judges they have claims against.” He also spoke of the guild spirit among the judges, which does not help either justice or institutions.