The debate starts at 11 am in the shadow of the health adventure of George Mylonakis - It is possible that the Prime Minister will send a message on the toxicity of political life at the beginning of the debate The post Today’s Parliament debate on the rule of law: Mitsotakis to push institutional reforms and constitutional changes appeared first on ProtoThema English.In the shadow of the controversy surrounding George Mylonakis, Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister and a close aide to him, Parliament is set to debate today the rule of law and the state of institutions—a discussion initiated by PASOK. The agenda is expected to be dominated by the OPEKEPE case, the Lazaridis case, and the wiretapping affair. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is preparing what has been described as an “institutional counteroffensive,” as reported by THEMA since Holy Saturday, aiming to avoid being drawn into a debate framed on the opposition’s terms. According to protothema.gr, PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis contacted the Prime Minister’s office yesterday through Parliament Speaker Nikitas Kaklamanis, proposing that the debate be postponed. Mitsotakis considered the request but ultimately decided the session should proceed as scheduled, telling associates this was the appropriate course of action. He is also expected to address the increasingly toxic tone of political discourse at the outset. Mitsotakis is bracing for strong criticism from the opposition and plans to respond, but without limiting himself to reactive arguments. Instead, he aims to outline a broader institutional path forward. Close aides suggest his speech could amount to an “institutional push forward,” presenting concrete reforms designed to address systemic weaknesses. His goal is to prevent the debate from being narrowly defined by opposition parties. Mitsotakis is expected to announce the launch of the constitutional revision process in May, with New Democracy’s proposal already largely finalized. According to THEMA, around 50 proposals from MPs and ministers have been reviewed in recent months. Euripides Stylianidis is expected to serve as the majority rapporteur, working alongside Giorgos Gerapetritis and the Prime Minister’s Secretary General, Stelios Koutnatzis. Key proposed changes include revisions to several constitutional articles—most notably Article 86—aimed at reducing procedural barriers in the judicial handling of cases involving political figures. The government is also considering interventions in other core provisions, as well as possible changes to the electoral system. Among the ideas already floated are stricter rules on the incompatibility between serving as both MP and minister, and a reduction in the number of MPs from 300 to 250. Other proposals under discussion include redrawing electoral districts based on demographic data and introducing term limits for MPs and local government officials. Reports suggest Mitsotakis may present proposals affecting around 20 constitutional articles. Government sources say the Prime Minister’s decision to “open up the discussion” and challenge opposition parties to take clear positions is a substantive initiative. In their view, many of the system’s dysfunctions stem from a state that has failed to adapt to modern needs. Mitsotakis is expected to argue that these issues can be addressed through digital modernization—reducing bureaucratic friction and human intervention—as well as through deep institutional reforms tied to constitutional revision. Mitsotakis is also expected to respond to Nikos Androulakis regarding the wiretapping scandal. He will argue that the government has already assumed political responsibility, pointing to changes in personnel and structures, as well as reforms within the National Intelligence Service. He is likely to emphasize that the case is now in the hands of the judiciary and that a Supreme Court investigation found no involvement by state officials, apart from the actions of four private individuals. At the same time, he is expected to caution opposition parties to be careful in their public statements about the intelligence service, given its role in safeguarding national security. For Mitsotakis, today’s return to the parliamentary chamber is also an opportunity to gauge sentiment within New Democracy’s parliamentary group. Tensions have reportedly grown between MPs and the Prime Minister’s office, particularly in the wake of the OPEKEPE case. Some MPs are also said to be frustrated at having to defend decisions related to Makarios Lazaridis. In any case, the planned launch of the constitutional revision process in May will require a preparatory meeting of the party’s parliamentary group, where discussions are expected to be broader and potentially challenging. Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr
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