We all know that the very last article (number 120) of the Greek Constitution states that “observance of the Constitution is entrusted to the patriotism of the Greeks.” Is there maybe some hidden provision that adds that “it is also left to the kindness of those in power”?
The question arises from the justifications presented by government officials after they postponed a debate in Parliament on the “Rule of Law and Institutions,” requested by main opposition party PASOK, after the new revelations about Greece’s wiretapping scandal, which were revealed following a trial that convicted four business executives. The procedure was to take place on April 4, as provided for by the Parliament’s regulations, but “after a discussion between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Parliament speaker, Nikitas Kaklamanis, it was postponed to April 17.” In other words, they felt it was their own decision to make, without consulting with anyone else.
The usual Greek reaction will be, “Come on, two weeks is not a big deal!” Yes, of course. Even US President Donald Trump’s war on Iran keeps getting extended every two weeks. But the parliamentary rules are very strict: “The debate takes place within one month of the submission of each request,” according to Article 143, paragraph 2. The Parliament is not a grocery store to haggle and negotiate. The only discussion allowed between Kaklamanis – who, as speaker of the House, is the guardian of proper parliamentary practice – the prime minister, and the leaders of the opposition parties, is the specific date within that time frame. Will it take place in 10 days? Two weeks? In one month, at the latest?
PASOK reacted to this grave institutional indecency, but the complaint fell on deaf ears. The party spoke of political machinations by the government to gain time for negotiations with Tal Dilian, the convicted businessman and seller of illegal software Predator, who directly threatened to reveal details of the wiretapping scandal, saying he “will not be a scapegoat.”
The government responded that this would be true only if the government completely avoided the debate and did not schedule it at a reasonable time, as Kathimerini reported. What does the government mean by that? That if it had bad intentions the debate would not even take place, despite the mandatory time frame in the Parliament’s regulations?
On the other hand, we must say that the postponed debate on the “Rule of Law and Institutions” in Greece may indeed be unnecessary. The speaker of the House and the prime minister have already shown its state.