Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called for an end to internal divisions within his ruling party, urging unity as he outlined key constitutional reform proposals and addressed political tensions during a parliamentary group meeting.
Speaking to lawmakers, Mitsotakis stressed the importance of cohesion ahead of the next national elections, stating that electoral candidates should include all members unless there is a final court ruling against them. His remarks were widely interpreted as a message of support for party unity amid ongoing political pressure.
He also emphasized that, under current legal principles, the presumption of innocence must prevail until a final judicial decision is issued.
Planned changes to ministerial accountability rules
A major focus of the discussion was a proposed reform of Article 86 of the Greek Constitution, which governs the prosecution of government ministers. The ruling party’s proposal includes limiting the role of parliament in initiating criminal proceedings against ministers and transferring key responsibilities to judicial authorities.
Under the proposed framework, preliminary investigations would be conducted by senior prosecutors, while the decision to prosecute would involve a structured legal process with judicial input. Parliament would still retain a role in authorizing prosecutions, requiring an absolute majority vote.
The constitutional revision process is expected to formally begin in the coming weeks.
Message of party discipline and election readiness
Mitsotakis urged lawmakers to remain focused on upcoming electoral challenges, emphasizing that winning a third consecutive election would require collective effort and discipline.
He encouraged members of parliament to openly acknowledge mistakes while also presenting alternative policy solutions, warning against internal divisions that could weaken the party’s public image.
He also highlighted that the government’s primary concern remains everyday issues affecting citizens, particularly rising living costs, which he described as the top priority for voters.
Criticism of opposition and parliamentary climate
The prime minister also criticized opposition parties, accusing them of turning parliament into a platform for political confrontation and misinformation. He argued that recent debates risk undermining institutional credibility and public trust.
He further referred to ongoing political disputes surrounding oversight bodies and investigations, stressing the importance of respecting judicial independence and avoiding political interference in legal processes.
Extended parliamentary debate expected
Following the prime minister’s address, senior party officials presented details of the proposed constitutional changes. The parliamentary session is expected to continue for several hours, with dozens of lawmakers scheduled to speak as debate on the reforms continues.
