Greece is a parliamentary republic whose president is the head of state and whose prime minister is the head of government. The governmental and political system is based on the constitution of 1975. The latest revisions to the constitution, all of which had the purpose of curtailing presidential powers, were ratified in June 1986. Historically, the most frequent reason for changing the constitution had to do with the continuing dispute over whether monarchy or republic were the proper form of government for Greece. This conflict was a major source of political tensions for almost 150 years.

The 1975 constitution was drafted by a popularly elected legislature following the ouster of the last military dictatorship (see Karamanlis and the Restoration of Democracy , ch. 1). The document provides the basis for a republican form of governance, reflecting the overwhelming popular vote in the referendum of December 1974 to abolish the monarchy. According to the constitution, sovereignty rests with the people. Governmental structure and functional responsibilities are broadly divided into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. These branches are to operate under the principle of checks and balances. The presidency of the republic is placed above the three branches and above partisan politics as well. The 1975 document limited the authority of the president in order to prevent a concentration of power in his hands, but it also left some important political initiatives within the definition of the office's power. On the other hand, the thrust of the 1986 amendments to the constitution was to ensure that the president would remain a strictly titular head of state.

A full range of human rights is protected under the constitution, which states that all persons residing within Greek territory may enjoy, "full protection of their life, honor, and freedom, irrespective of nationality, race or language and of religious or political beliefs," unless otherwise disallowed by international law. Every adult citizen has the right to participate in the social, economic, and political life of the country. The state and all its agents are directed to ensure that individual rights and liberties are exercised fully. The state may, for its part, call on all citizens "to fulfill the duty of social and national solidarity."

The specification of basic rights and liberties includes freedom of speech, of the press, of peaceful assembly and association, and of travel; economic freedom and property ownership; privacy of correspondence and the inviolability of the home; due process of law; and the prohibition of retroactive legislation. Also guaranteed are the right to petition the state for redress of grievances and the right to employment, to social security and housing, to education, and to health care.

Traditionally, the Orthodox Church of Greece has maintained a close link with the state. The special status of the church is acknowledged in the constitution, which declares, "The prevailing religion in Greece is the Eastern Orthodox Church of Christ." Nevertheless, the freedom of religious conscience is declared inviolable, and "all known religions" are to be free, and their rites of worship are to be performed unhindered. They are also to be protected by law to an extent not prejudicial to public order or to moral principles. Nevertheless, the constitution provides special status for the Orthodox Church by prohibiting proselytization by all other religions. Instances of religious persecution have been rare and irregular, so the implications of this prohibition are unclear (see Human Rights , this ch.; Religion , ch. 2).

The constitution states that work is a right, and all workers are entitled to equal remuneration for equal services performed. The freedom of unionism, including the right to strike for higher wages and better employment conditions, is constitutionally protected, but judicial functionaries and members of the state security forces are prohibited from striking. Civil servants and employees of other public corporations may strike, subject to the limitations of the law.

All but the most basic articles of the constitution--such as those defining Greece as a parliamentary republic, those guaranteeing fundamental rights and liberties, and those vesting legislative, executive, and judicial powers in the appropriate branches of government--may be amended. To amend the constitution, a proposal must be introduced into the legislature by at least fifty members of parliament. It must then be confirmed by a three-fifths majority vote of the total parliamentary membership on each of two ballots held at least one month apart. The next session of parliament finally enacts the amendment by an absolute majority vote of the total membership. Constitutional revision is not permitted before the lapse of five years from the completion of a previous revision; this provision is designed to ensure the stability of constitutional order.

Data as of December 1994

NOTE: The information regarding Greece on this page is re-published from The Library of Congress Country Studies and the CIA World Factbook. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Greece THE CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Greece THE CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK should be addressed to the Library of Congress and the CIA.