Five New Democracy MPs call for changes to Greece’s “Executive State” model
Five lawmakers from Greece’s ruling New Democracy party have publicly called for reforms to the country’s “executive state” governance model, urging a stronger parliamentary role and a recalibration of relations between the government and elected representatives.
The joint intervention comes as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has opened discussions on constitutional revision, placing institutional reform at the center of the political agenda.
Public Intervention Signals Internal Debate
In a joint letter published in the newspaper Ta Nea, MPs Athanasios Zembilis, Andreas Katsaniotis, Xenophon Baraliakos, Giannis Oikonomou, and Ioannis Pappas emphasized the need to enhance parliamentary oversight and redefine how power is exercised within the current system.
The MPs argued that decision-making centers should be brought closer to society, highlighting concerns that the current governance model risks distancing political authority from public accountability.
“Parliament Must Not Serve the Executive”
The lawmakers stressed that the role of MPs goes beyond supporting the government apparatus:
“Members of Parliament do not exist to serve any executive mechanism. They exist to defend the national and popular interest by legislating and exercising control over the executive power.”
They further noted that the debate on the “executive state” should take precedence over constitutional revision discussions, especially at a time when the government is already undertaking corrective measures amid judicial developments.
Timing Linked to Broader Institutional Reforms
The intervention is politically significant as it reflects intra-party concerns within the ruling majority, coinciding with broader institutional reform efforts initiated by the government.
By calling for structural changes, the five MPs signal a push toward:
- Stronger legislative independence
- Increased accountability of the executive branch
- A more balanced distribution of power
- Growing Focus on Governance Model
The concept of the “executive state” has been a defining feature of governance under Kyriakos Mitsotakis, designed to centralize coordination and improve efficiency. However, critics — now including voices within the ruling party — argue that adjustments are necessary to ensure democratic balance and institutional resilience.
The debate is expected to intensify in the coming months as Greece moves closer to formal discussions on constitutional reform.
