“Constitutional reform requires seriousness, not cheap political maneuvering and media games,” Nikos Androulakis stated at the outset of his speech in Parliament, while also noting that PASOK’s proposals are aligned with the needs of contemporary Greek society and stand in contrast to the government’s philosophy, according to which, as the PASOK president put it, institutions and their proper functioning are a secondary issue rather than a central one.
Responding to the criticism PASOK has received from New Democracy for stating that, in the first phase—in the current Parliament—it will not vote for any provision making a supermajority mandatory in the next Parliament, Mr. Androulakis emphasized “We are not voting because you are untrustworthy,” and added: “First, the Greek people will speak at the polls, because that is how the constitutional revision will be protected from petty party politics and media expediency.”
He accused the Maximos Mansion of “having declared the pre-election period for the fall through constant leaks—and in your case, once again, you are invoking the Constitution to hide your political retreat and your reformist stagnation.”
“Where is Mr. Mitsotakis today? We would expect a deeply liberal, reform-minded prime minister to be here. To fight in Parliament to defend the institutional initiative, as he himself had characterized the constitutional revision,” emphasized the president of PASOK-Movement for Change.
He also accused New Democracy of instrumentalizing and “politicizing” the role of the President of the Republic, criticizing the party for failing to seek consensus in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution, while regarding the amendment to Article 86, Nikos Androulakis accused the government of using it to tie the hands of the judiciary in the OPEKEPE and wiretapping scandals. “When criminal prosecution depends on the ruling majority of the day, then the judiciary risks being turned into a political tool. As we saw in the cases of Mr. Avgenakis, Mr. Karamanlis, and Mr. Voridis,” he added.
“Do we want a Constitution that merely manages the problems of the present? Or a Constitution that prepares the country for the challenges of the future? Do we want a democracy vulnerable to crises, inequalities, and new technological challenges? Or a resilient democracy that inspires trust, participation, and hope? We choose the second path. The path of political change, institutional credibility, and social progress,” said the president of PASOK-Movement for Change, emphasizing:
“Our message is clear: A third chance for New Democracy does not mean stability. It means deep regression, greater inequalities, and unchecked institutional decline.”
“On the contrary, political change with PASOK at the forefront means institutional reconstruction, social justice, and a new vision for the country. It means there is a credible alternative proposal for governance. And it means that Greece can move forward with a higher-quality democracy, greater transparency, and uncompromising respect for the citizen,” concluded Nikos Androulakis.
What is PASOK’s proposal?
Three basic principles underpin PASOK’s proposal for Constitutional Revision, as outlined by Nikos Androulakis in his speech to Parliament.
The first encompasses modern individual rights for the new era, with the following pillars:
- Combating discrimination and exclusion that persist in society.
- An explicit constitutional obligation of the state to protect against gender-based violence and femicide.
- Guaranteeing modern digital rights.
- Universal access to basic digital services.
- Protection of citizens from digital manipulation and the misuse of artificial intelligence.
- Constitutional guarantees of transparency, accountability, and human oversight in artificial intelligence systems. Technology must serve humanity and democracy—not operate at the expense of citizens’ freedom and autonomy.
- Constitutional enshrinement of consumer protection as a self-evident limit on private economic initiative.
The second principle concerns the enshrinement of a strong welfare state and the protection of public goods, where PASOK proposes:
- Constitutional enshrinement of the National Health System and equal access for all to health services.
- The enshrinement of the right to affordable housing and the ability to develop social housing policies. The state must take responsibility and guarantee equal access to this vital issue for social justice.
- Access to energy as a matter of social cohesion and national security.
- A just energy transition with a social dimension.
- Strengthening environmental protection and intergenerational justice.
- Constitutional protection of water as a public good and a human right.
The third dimension of PASOK’s proposals aims to strengthen institutions—more democracy and accountability through:
- Decoupling criminal investigations of political figures from parliamentary dynamics.
- Strengthening the independence of the judiciary and changing the way its leadership is selected.
- Constitutional enshrinement of the National Transparency Authority with the authority to: audit party finances, election expenditures, and the financial disclosure statements of political figures. Democracy cannot function under a regime of political self-regulation.
- Constitutional enshrinement of the “DIAVGEIA,” a groundbreaking initiative established by PASOK, ensuring that no government act or decision entailing a budgetary burden produces legal effects unless it is first published on DIAVGEIA.
- Transparency in media ownership and protection of pluralism. Because without independent and pluralistic media, democracy is weakened.
- A broad majority of 180 MPs, mandatory, in the second (revised) Parliament.
- Election of the President of the Republic with higher majorities and broader legitimacy, so that he or she enjoys the greatest possible legitimacy and acceptance. While maintaining the separation of the election from the dissolution of Parliament.
At the same time, we strengthen the role of Parliament and democratic checks and balances, as well as local government, with greater administrative and financial autonomy.
The decentralization of power is not an administrative detail. It is a prerequisite for democratic participation and effectiveness.
“The goal of the proposals we are submitting is:
A Constitution that effectively protects rights.
That reduces social inequalities.
That effectively checks power.
To respond to the technological and social challenges of our time.
A Constitution that deepens democracy, provides social protection, and ensures institutional credibility,” emphasized Mr. Androulakis.
Source: APE