Jonah Patel
The Greek Constitution has a long and complex history, with several versions existing throughout the country's modern history. The current Greek Constitution was enacted in 1975, following the fall of the Greek military junta and the start of the Third Hellenic Republic. This version of the constitution was created by the Fifth Revisionary Parliament of the Hellenes and came into force on 11 June 1975, two days after it was adopted. It has since been revised several times, with the most recent amendment occurring in 2019. However, the roots of the Greek Constitution can be traced back to the country's War of Independence from 1821 to 1832, during which three constitutional texts were adopted, dating from 1822, 1823, and 1827.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date written | 1974 |
| Date enacted | 1975 |
| Date of amendments | 1986, 2001, 2008, 2019 |
| Date of previous constitution | 1952 |
| Number of articles | 120 |
| Number of revisions since 1975 | 4 |
| Number of seats in Greek Parliament | 300 |
| Number of elected seats in Greek Parliament | 250 |
| Number of compulsory education years | 9 |
| Year Greece became independent from the Ottoman Empire | 1832 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Greek Constitution of 1975 was revised in 1986, 2001, 2008 and 2019
- The 1974 referendum decided on a parliamentary republic instead of a monarchy
- The 1975 Constitution was influenced by the Greek War of Independence (1821-1832)
- The Constitution consists of 120 articles, in four parts
- The first three Greek constitutions were adopted by revolutionary national assemblies
The Greek Constitution of 1975 was revised in 1986, 2001, 2008 and 2019
The current Greek Constitution was enacted on 11 June 1975, two days after it was adopted. It was formed by the Fifth Revisionary Parliament of the Hellenes in 1974, following the collapse of the Greek military junta and the beginning of the Third Hellenic Republic. The Constitution of 1975 has been revised four times, in 1986, 2001, 2008, and 2019.
The 1975 Constitution is based on the versions that were in place in 1927 and 1952, with further influence from the plebiscite of 1974, which established a republic instead of a constitutional monarchy. The 1975 Constitution is the last in a series of democratically adopted Constitutions, excluding the Constitutions of 1968 and 1973, which were imposed by a dictatorship. The 1975 Constitution is divided into 120 articles across four parts. The first part, Basic Provisions, establishes Greece as a presidential parliamentary democracy and recognises the prevalence of the Orthodox Church in Greece.
The revisions of 1986, 2001, 2008, and 2019 each made amendments to the 1975 Constitution. Notably, the 2001 revision was extensive, with 79 articles being amended. The process of revising the Constitution begins with a motion proposed by at least one-sixth of MPs, which is then approved by a supermajority of three-fifths of MPs, across two separate votes held at least one month apart.
The 1986 revision was the "6th Revisional", the 2001 revision was the "7th Revisional Parliament", and the 2008 revision was the "8th Revisional Parliament". Each revision has led to the development and refinement of the Greek Constitution, ensuring its relevance and responsiveness to the evolving needs of the country.
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The 1974 referendum decided on a parliamentary republic instead of a monarchy
The current Greek Constitution was established in 1975, following the fall of the Greek military junta in 1974 and the start of the Third Hellenic Republic. The 1975 Constitution was a revision of the 1952 Constitution, incorporating the outcome of the 1974 referendum that decided on a parliamentary republic instead of a constitutional monarchy.
The referendum, held on December 8, 1974, offered the Greek people a choice between a republic and a monarchy as the constitutional form of the state. This referendum took place after the collapse of the military junta, which had ruled Greece since 1967. During its rule, the junta held a referendum in 1973 that voted in favour of a republic, which was used as a pretext by Georgios Papadopoulos to declare himself President. However, this referendum was widely considered questionable, both electorally and legally.
After the fall of the junta, free elections were held, and the newly elected government of Prime Minister Constantine Karamanlis decided to hold another referendum to resolve the longstanding dispute between republicans and monarchists. Despite Karamanlis' long career in monarchist politics, the former King Constantine II was forbidden from returning to Greece to campaign, though he was allowed to make a televised address to the nation.
The referendum resulted in a clear victory for the republican side, with 69.2% of voters approving of a republic and a 75.6% turnout. Crete, a traditional liberal and republican stronghold, gave over 90% of its vote to the republic, while the highest vote shares for the restoration of the monarchy were in the Peloponnese and Thrace, at around 45%. The announcement of the results was met with relief and satisfaction by many Greeks, including Prime Minister Karamanlis, who felt that a "cancer had been removed from the body of the nation".
The 1974 referendum played a crucial role in shaping the modern political landscape of Greece, solidifying its status as a parliamentary republic and setting the stage for the adoption of the 1975 Constitution.
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The 1975 Constitution was influenced by the Greek War of Independence (1821-1832)
The 1975 Constitution of Greece was crafted after the fall of the Greek military junta and the start of the Third Hellenic Republic. It was influenced by the ideals of democracy and independence that arose during the Greek War of Independence (1821-1832). During this period, the first three Greek constitutions were adopted by revolutionary national assemblies, marking the beginning of Greece's constitutional history.
The Greek War of Independence was a pivotal event in shaping the country's political landscape. After declaring their independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821, the Greeks established a provisional government, ushering in the nation's first taste of democracy in centuries. This period witnessed the emergence of local assemblies and the ratification of statutes such as the Senate Organization of Western Greece and the Legal Order of Eastern Greece.
The war's impact extended beyond the realm of politics, as it also left an indelible mark on the cultural and social fabric of Greece. The struggle for independence fostered a sense of national identity and unity among the Greek people, who had endured centuries of foreign rule. This newfound sense of nationhood would go on to inform the principles and values enshrined in the 1975 Constitution.
The 1975 Constitution, formally enacted on June 11, 1975, was the culmination of a series of democratic constitutions in modern Greek history, excluding the dictatorial constitutions of 1968 and 1973. It was crafted by the Fifth Revisionary Parliament of the Hellenes, building upon previous constitutions, particularly the versions from 1927 and 1952. The 1975 Constitution established a parliamentary democracy with a president as head of state, a significant departure from the previous monarchy.
The influence of the Greek War of Independence can be seen in the 1975 Constitution's commitment to democratic principles and the protection of individual rights and freedoms. It reflects the Greek people's enduring aspiration for self-governance and independence, which was kindled during the war and continued to shape the nation's political trajectory in the centuries that followed.
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The Constitution consists of 120 articles, in four parts
The current Greek Constitution, created by the Fifth Revisionary Parliament of the Hellenes, came into force on 11 June 1975, two days after it was adopted. It consists of 120 articles, divided into four parts.
The first part, comprising articles 1–3, establishes Basic Provisions. This part establishes Greece as a presidential parliamentary democracy or republic, and confirms the prevalence of the Orthodox Church in the country.
The second part, entitled 'Individual and Social Rights', includes articles 4–25. This section outlines the fundamental rights and freedoms of Greek citizens, including freedom of movement, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and the right to form associations and unions. It also includes provisions for the protection of personal data, the right to education, and the right to property.
The third part, covering articles 26–105, describes the Organization and Functions of the State. It details the structure and functions of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, including the roles of the Parliament, the President of the Republic, and the courts. Article 28 of this part is notable for formally integrating international laws and international conventions into Greek law.
The fourth and final part, consisting of articles 106–120, contains Special, Final, and Transitory Provisions. These provisions address various specific matters, including the process for revising the Constitution and the role of the Orthodox Church in Greek society.
The 1975 Constitution has been revised multiple times: in 1986, 2001, 2008, and 2019. These revisions have been made to reflect the evolving nature of Greek society and to address any issues that may have arisen since the previous version. The Greek Parliament has the right to revise or amend the Constitution, except for the articles dealing with the "Form of the State" and those safeguarding human rights and freedoms, which are unalterable.
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The first three Greek constitutions were adopted by revolutionary national assemblies
The modern history of Greece's constitutional development began after the country gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821. The first three Greek constitutions were adopted by revolutionary national assemblies during the Greek War of Independence (1821-1832).
The first of these constitutions was adopted in 1822. A year earlier, local assemblies had ratified several Greek local statutes, including the Senate Organization of Western Greece, the Legal Order of Eastern Greece, and the Peloponnesian Senate Organization. However, King Otto ruled for over a decade without constitutional restrictions, as the "hegemonical" Greek Constitution of 1832 was never implemented.
In 1843, a rebellion led by Colonel Dimitrios Kallergis and Revolutionary Captain Ioannis Makriyannis demanded that King Otto grant a constitution. The king eventually conceded, and the Greek Constitution of 1844 defined the country as a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral parliament consisting of a Chamber of Deputies and a Senate.
After King Otto's expulsion, the Constitution of 1864 was established to facilitate the transition from a constitutional monarchy to a crowned republic, abolishing the senate in favour of a parliament. This constitutional evolution laid the foundation for Greece's subsequent democratic journey, culminating in the most recent constitution of 1975, which was revised in 1986, 2001, 2008, and 2019.
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Frequently asked questions
The Greek Constitution was written in 1974 and came into force on 11 June 1975.
The Greek Constitution has been revised five times in 1986, 2001, 2008, 2019, and the latest in 2008.
The 1975 Constitution was based on the versions that were in place in 1927 and 1952.
The 1975 Constitution established a presidential parliamentary democracy or republic.
The first modern Greek Constitution was adopted in 1822, a year after the Greeks declared their independence from the Ottoman Empire.
