Parliament approves 2026 state budget after 66-hour debate
The Greek Parliament approved the 2026 State Budget on Tuesday night with 159 votes in favor and 136 against. The ruling New Democracy party’s 156 deputies, along with three independents, supported the budget, while all opposition parties voted against it.
Defense spending and the President of Greece’s expenditures received broad support. Defense allocations were backed by 216 deputies, with 75 opposed and one abstention, while presidential expenses were approved by 236 deputies, 58 opposed, and one abstention.
The budget debate spanned 66 hours across five parliamentary sessions and included 250 speeches, Parliament President Nikitas Kaklamanis noted. Despite a 25% increase in speaking time and longer contributions from party politicians and the Prime Minister, the debate concluded at 8:00 p.m., following recent changes to Parliament’s Rules of Order.
