[Ismini Vlassopoulou/Intime News]
Parliament was marked by heightened tensions on Thursday during a debate in which Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis adopted a confrontational tone, pushing back against opposition accusations over the rule of law while outlining a broader institutional agenda.
Mitsotakis structured his response on two fronts, citing international assessments and accusing political opponents of fostering a toxic climate. He argued that “the objective judge of the progress … in the rule of law can only be institutions and organizations outside our country,” referring to a European Commission report that, he said, shows significant improvement in recent years.
Addressing surveillance allegations, the prime minister said the issue had been “judged twice electorally,” adding that political responsibility had been assumed and institutional reforms implemented. He accused the opposition of conflating legal interceptions with the use of illicit software “that concerns the entire planet,” and criticized what he described as inconsistent positions toward judicial rulings.
He also rejected claims of government pressure, stating that “the government is not blackmailed by anyone … we are accountable only to the Greek people.”
With regard to the ongoing case involving agricultural subsidies, Mitsotakis expressed respect for the European public prosecutor but criticized “selective leaks” and “fragmented checks,” warning against “superficial findings that tarnish reputations.” He added that legislation would be proposed to accelerate cases involving lawmakers.
The prime minister revisited long-standing responsibility for the scandal, noting that financial penalties exceeding €3 billion date back decades, and challenged the opposition’s claims that the issue began in 2019.
Turning to political dynamics, Mitsotakis accused opposition parties of prioritizing electoral positioning. He suggested that PASOK was focused on securing second place, while criticizing SYRIZA and its former leader.
In a shift of focus during his second address, Mitsotakis introduced plans for constitutional revision, expected to begin in May, covering 25 articles. Proposed topics include artificial intelligence, higher education, affordable housing, party regulation, and judicial appointments. He also raised the prospect of revising electoral law, suggesting discussion on a mixed system combining constituency-based and list-based representation, similar to the German model.
“It is time after the elections to have an honest discussion about which electoral system best serves democracy,” he said.
Mitsotakis confirmed that national elections will take place at the end of the government’s term, dismissing calls for an early vote.