Samaras set to announce proposals for constitutional review Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is expected on Wednesday to unveil New Democracy’s proposals for a constitutional review, which could include sweeping reforms affecting how the government and Parliament operates. Samaras is expected to set out his party’s ideas for a range of changes to the country’s constitution. These include re-examining parliamentary immunity for MPs, setting a limit on the time a prime minister can serve in office and improving the transparency of party finances. Another key reform that the premier could put on the table is the reduction of the number of lawmakers that sit in Greek Parliament from 300 to 250 or 200. Sources told Kathimerini that Samaras feels that the stabilization of Greece’s public finances means the government can now devote time to this subject. The constitution and parliamentary rules mean that the proposals need to gather the support of at least 50 MPs. Then they will be reviewed by a special parliamentary committee. Once the changes have been agreed, they are then put to two votes in Parliament. However, the reforms cannot be implemented until the next Parliament sits. This means that national elections, not due until 2016, have to be held first. ekathimerini.com , Monday April 28, 2014 (09:44)

Samaras set to announce proposals for constitutional review Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is expected on Wednesday to unveil New Democracy’s proposals for a constitutional review, which could include sweeping reforms affecting how the government and Parliament operates. Samaras is expected to set out his party’s ideas for a range of changes to the country’s constitution. These include re-examining parliamentary immunity for MPs, setting a limit on the time a prime minister can serve in office and improving the transparency of party finances. Another key reform that the premier could put on the table is the reduction of the number of lawmakers that sit in Greek Parliament from 300 to 250 or 200. Sources told Kathimerini that Samaras feels that the stabilization of Greece’s public finances means the government can now devote time to this subject. The constitution and parliamentary rules mean that the proposals need to gather the support of at least 50 MPs. Then they will be reviewed by a special parliamentary committee. Once the changes have been agreed, they are then put to two votes in Parliament. However, the reforms cannot be implemented until the next Parliament sits. This means that national elections, not due until 2016, have to be held first.

ekathimerini.com , Monday April 28, 2014 (09:44)