Unit:
Κατεύθυνση Νεώτερη και Σύγχρονη Ελληνική ΙστορίαLibrary of the School of Philosophy
Author:
Keramidas Stavros
Supervisors info:
Ευάνθης Χατζηβασιλείου, Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, Ε.Κ.Π.Α
Ευάγγελος Καραμανωλάκης, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, Ε.Κ.Π.Α
Δήμητρα Λαμπροπούλου, Λέκτορας, Τμήμα Ιστορίας και Αρχαιολογίας, Ε.Κ.Π.Α
Original Title:
Η Συνταγματική Αναθεώρηση του 1986: μια προσπάθεια αποτίμησης αιτιών, αντιλήψεων και συνεπειών
Translated title:
The Constitutional Reform of 1986: an attempt to evaluate causes, views and effects
Summary:
This study refers to the reform of the Constitution of Greece in 1985-1986. Specifically, it discusses the views of the political parties and the constitutional experts and finally the political repercussions of this move. It was an initiative of the Prime Minister, Andreas Papandreou, and his party, the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK). The reform was mainly aimed at restricting the powers of the President of the Republic.
My study discusses the provisions of the 1975 Constitution. Perceptions of political parties on the powers of the President of the Republic as a regime regulator remained stable. But, the determining factor which led to the reform of the Constitution was the state of relations between the President of the Republic, Constantine Karamanlis and the Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou during the “cohabitation period” (1981-1985) of the two men. Particularly, the last year of their “coexistence” (1984) was the period when there were several conflicts between them.
Simultaneously with the announcement of the review, A. Papandreou suggested the, judge of the Supreme Court, Christos Sartzetakis, for the position of the President of the Republic, removing the founder of New Democracy by the highest state office in the country. The election of Ch. Sartzetakis was hectic and marginal.
I also tried to make a reference to the effects of A. Papandreou’s choice to reform the Constitution and not to suggest K. Karamanlis for the position of the President of the Republic, had on the outcome of elections on 2nd of June 1985. After the victory of PASOK in the elections, the Prime Minister succeeded in revising the Constitution in accordance to his objectives.
The revision of the Constitution was completed in March 1986. This has resulted in the curtailment of powers of the President of the Republic and in the empowerment of the Prime Minister.
The academic community, although welcomed many of the amendments made to the Constitution, criticized not only the way the reform was announced but also other manipulations of PASOK’s government.
The conclusion of this study indicates: 1) what led to the review, 2) which views came into conflict and 3) what were the direct and indirect effects, particularly on the political power of the Prime Minister.
Main subject category:
History
Keywords:
Constitution, 1986, Andreas Papandreou, Konstantinos Karamanlis, The President of the Republic
Number of references:
237
