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

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

On 11.06.2008 Greece's parliament voted in favour of the Lisbon Treaty. The Greek parliament approved the treaty by 250 votes to 42, with the ruling New Democracy conservatives and main opposition Pasok socialists endorsing the text. "The treaty will make the European Union more effective to meet new challenges," Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis told the chamber. "What we want is a Europe that becomes more structurally fortified the more it expands. [...] Greece hopes for a rapid ratification by all states to avoid delay in its implementation," he said.
The opposition KKE Communists, Syriza leftists and the small nationalist party LAOS voted against the treaty, demanding that it be put to a referendum. Leftist demonstrations were held against the treaty in Athens and the northern city of Salonika on Wednesday. Pasok leader George Papandreou said his party supported the treaty "for a more democratic and social Europe" but called for a referendum to ensure that the Greek people were fully informed of the terms of the charter.

PROCEDURE

Parliamentary vote

STATE OF THE PROCEDURE

The parliamentary ratification was held on the 11.06.2008. (250 votes in favour; 42 against)

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS AND MATERIAL