Structure of Greek Politics Today

Greece went from a monarchy to a democratic system, but one that works "like a parliamentary republic with a president as the head of state appointed by a legislative."

The Constitution was signed on June 11, 1975, and amended in March, 1986.

"The legal system is based on a codified Roman law and is judiciary divided into civil, criminal and administrative courts. The other political parties of Greece are the Coalition of the Left and Progress (Synaspismos), the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), the New Democracy (ND- conservative party) and the extreme right party LAOS."

"Greece is part of many International organizations, [including] NATO (since 1952) and EU (since 1981)."

Current Prime Minister: Loukas Papademos
Current Chief of State: President Karolos Papoulias

Branches of Greek Government
Executive branch: the President

- elected by Parliament for a five-year term
- In charge of appointing the Prime Minister
- The president appoints those in The Cabinet by recommendation of the Prime Minister

Legislative branch: held by the unicameral Parliament (“Vouli ton Ellinon”)

- 300 seats available
- members are elected for four-year terms by direct popular vote

Judicial branch: Supreme Judicial Court and Special Supreme Tribunal

- Judges are appointed for life by the President after he has consulted a judicial council.

In summary, the Greek people elect the members of Parliament, Parliament elects the President, and the President appoints the Prime Minister, those in the cabinet (with the help of the Prime Minister), and judges of the Supreme Court (with the help of a judicial council).


More: www.parliament.gr

Source: http://www.greeka.com/greece-politics.htm