Greek judges to cast first-ever leadership vote under new judicial reform

For the first time in Greece’s judicial history, Supreme Court judges will vote on Tuesday to recommend candidates for the top leadership positions at the Areios Pagos (Supreme Court), marking a significant shift aimed at strengthening judicial independence.

The internal vote follows a judicial reform law passed in July 2024, which introduced a consultative selection process for Supreme Court leadership. While the final appointments remain in the hands of the government, the vote offers an advisory framework that limits political discretion and promotes transparency.

The process comes ahead of the mandatory retirement on June 30 of Supreme Court President Ioanna Klapa and Chief Prosecutor Georgia Adelini. Four secret ballots will be conducted at the court’s headquarters in Athens: one for the next president of the court, another for eight vice presidential seats, and two separate votes to recommend the next chief prosecutor—one by judges and one by prosecutors.

Leading candidates for the presidency include Anastasia Papadopoulou, known for her role as director of the National School of Judges, and Aikaterini Chondrorizou, a veteran judge with nearly 30 years of service.

The sealed results will be submitted to Justice Minister Giorgos Floridis. Though non-binding, the outcome is expected to weigh heavily in the final government decision, seen by many legal experts as a meaningful stride toward depoliticizing Greece’s highest court.