Hellenic Parliament

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Hellenic Parliament

The Hellenic Parliament (Greek: Βουλή των Ελλήνων , Voulí ton Ellínon) is the supreme democratic institution in Greece, representing the citizens through elected representatives. It is a unicameral legislature, meaning it consists of a single chamber, and is responsible for the legislative process, including the creation, amendment, and ratification of laws.

History

The Hellenic Parliament has its roots in the early 19th century, following the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire. The first National Assembly was convened in 1821, and the first official parliament was established in 1844 under the reign of King Otto. The modern form of the parliament was established with the Constitution of 1975, following the fall of the military junta and the restoration of democracy.

Structure

The Hellenic Parliament is composed of 300 members, known as Members of Parliament (MPs), who are elected for a four-year term. The electoral system used is a form of proportional representation, which aims to reflect the overall distribution of public support for each political party.

Leadership

The Parliament is presided over by the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament, who is elected by the MPs. The Speaker's role is to ensure the orderly conduct of parliamentary business and to represent the Parliament in its relations with the President of the Republic and other state institutions.

Committees

The Parliament operates through a system of standing and special committees, which are responsible for detailed examination of legislative proposals and other matters. These committees play a crucial role in the legislative process, allowing for in-depth discussion and analysis of proposed laws.

Functions

The primary functions of the Hellenic Parliament include:

• Legislation: The Parliament debates and votes on proposed laws. A bill must be approved by a majority of MPs to become law.
• Budget Approval: The Parliament reviews and approves the national budget, which outlines government spending and revenue.
• Oversight: The Parliament exercises oversight over the executive branch, holding the government accountable through questions, debates, and inquiries.
• Constitutional Amendments: The Parliament has the power to propose and approve amendments to the Greek Constitution.

Legislative Process

The legislative process in the Hellenic Parliament involves several stages:

1. Introduction: A bill is introduced by the government or by MPs. 2. Committee Review: The bill is referred to a relevant committee for detailed examination. 3. Plenary Debate: The bill is debated in the plenary session of the Parliament. 4. Voting: The bill is put to a vote. If it receives a majority, it is passed. 5. Presidential Assent: The President of the Republic signs the bill into law.

Location

The Hellenic Parliament is housed in the Old Royal Palace, located in Syntagma Square in Athens. This historic building has been the seat of the Parliament since 1935.

Also see

• Greek Constitution
• President of Greece
• Prime Minister of Greece
• History of Greece
• Politics of Greece