Greece proposes creation of permanent administrative Deputy Foreign Minister role to ensure institutional continuity

The Greek government has submitted a bill to Parliament proposing the establishment of a new Permanent Administrative Deputy Foreign Minister within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aiming to strengthen institutional continuity and administrative stability in foreign policy management.

The amendment, which has been attached to a broader bill on regional television regulation, provides that the new post will be filled by either a serving ambassador or a career diplomat who has previously attained ambassadorial rank.

Under the proposal, the powers of the position will be jointly defined by the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister. The Permanent Administrative Deputy Foreign Minister will remain in office even during changes of government, including transitional caretaker governments formed ahead of elections.

The initiative seeks to ensure continuity in the functioning of the Foreign Ministry, particularly during periods of political transition.

Institutional Continuity as Key Objective
According to the explanatory memorandum, the reform aims to preserve institutional memory within the Foreign Ministry, enhance administrative stability, and ensure consistency in foreign policy implementation.

The government noted that the absence of a permanent administrative reference point within the ministry can create coordination challenges, especially in critical foreign policy matters, with these difficulties becoming more pronounced during government transitions.

The proposal is based on Article 81 of the Greek Constitution, which allows for the legal regulation of the status and responsibilities of permanent administrative deputy ministers.