Constitution (2004)

REFERENDUMS HELD ON EUROPEAN MATTERS: none

CONSTITUTIONAL CONDITIONS - Constitution of Greece

Binding referendum provided for on a subject of very important national interest.

ARTICLES ABOUT INTERNATIONAL TREATIES, REFERENDUM AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Regulation about a special transference of power to EU:
none

Approval of transfer of sovereignty without effect of constitutional amendment:
Majority from the members of parliament, Art 28 III ConstGreece.

Approval of transfer of sovereignty with effect of constitutional amendment:
Majority of 3/5 from the members of parliament, Art. 28 II ConstGreece.

Approval of constitutional amendment:
Majority of 3/5 from members of parliament twice in between at least one month on proposal of at least 50 members of parliament. Additionally amendment has to be approved by the next parliament with majority of its members. Majorities can also be vice versa. Constitutional amendment of fundamental principles of the constitution excluded, so called "clause of eternity", Art. 110 ConstGreece.

Other constitutional regulations about referendums:
Referendum can be called on subjects of very important national interest on proposal of the council of ministers approved by the majority from the members of parliament. Referendum on laws can be called on proposal of 2/5 and their approval with a majority of 3/5 from the members of parliament. In one legislative period of the parliament at most two referendums can be held, Art. 44 II ConstGreece.

RATING AND DEBATE

Decided

The Greek government and the leading political opposition were in broad agreement on letting the Greek parliament ratify the future European Constitution without a referendum. In this sense Greece's conservative government announced in October 2004 that the Constitution would be ratified in a parliamentary vote. In the same month the Socialists and the Coalition of Left and Progress started a discussion in favour of a referendum, but without provoking a nationalwide discussion. In March 2005 the Socialists (PASOK - party) renewed their call for the government to hold a referendum on the Constitution calling the text a "key step for a democratic, politically strong and fair Europe", which has to be ratified by a public referendum.
On 12.04.2005 the Greek government rejected a call by the left-wing opposition parties to hold a referendum on the Constitution, just days before the treaty was ratified by Greece's parliament. The government spokesman, Evangelos Antonaros said that "there is no reason to hold a referendum after the expected ratification of the European Constitution by the national parliament". The Constitution was expected to pass the vote, with both the governing conservatives and the main opposition socialists, who together control 182 of the 300 seats, in favour of it. On 19.04.2005 the parliament ratified the Constitution by 268 votes to 17 with 15 abstentions and Greece became the sixth EU member state to ratify the text.

More background information...

Eurobarometer (2006), The Future of Europe - Results for Greece, Special Eurobarometer 251, Fieldwork: 23/02 – 15/03 2006. (PDF)

Eurobarometer report, (February 2004): 89% rather agree, 9% rather disagree*

*Are you rather agree or rather disagree with the statement: The European Union must adopt a Constitution.

Eurobarometer report, (January 2005): 34% favourable, 11% opposed*

*Based on what you know, would you say that you are in favour of or opposed to the draft European Constitution?

Eurobarometer report, (July 2005): 60% favourable, 27% opposed*

*Based on the question, are you for or against a constitution for the European Union?

Latest News

19.04.2005 EU commission welcomes Greek green light for constitution. EUbusiness.com

19.04.2005 Greek parliament ratifies EU constitution. EUbusiness.com

15.04.2005 Greek parliament postpones ratification of EU constitution. EUbusiness.com

12.04.2005 Greek Communists march against EU constitution as MPs debate ratification. EUbusiness.com

12.04.2005 Greek government rejects call for referendum on EU constitution. EUbusiness.com

06.03.2005 Greek socialists push for referendum on EU constitution. EUbusiness.com

PROCEDURE

Parliamentary Ratification

STATE OF THE PROCEDURE

Constitution has been ratified by an overwhelming majority. The Greek parliament ratified the Constitution by 268 votes to 17.

DATE OF REFERENDUM

19.04.2005.

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS AND MATERIAL

Siapkidou, E. (2005), Ratification Monitor - Country Report: Greece, ELIAMEP, Athens, May 2005.

The Federal Trust, EU Constitution Newsletter, January 2005, with a country reports on Slovenia and Greece.