Parliament introduces automatic microphone cut-off to enforce speaking time limits
The Greek Parliament has implemented a new automatic microphone cut-off system designed to ensure that members of Parliament (MPs) adhere to their allotted speaking times during debates. The system, activated on Wednesday, automatically silences a speaker’s microphone once their time has expired.
The first MP to test the new system was PASOK Socialist Party parliamentary representative Michalis Katrinis, who jokingly announced that he would continue speaking “to see if the system works.” Moments later, his microphone was indeed switched off.
Shortly afterward, Zoe Konstantopoulou, leader of the Course of Freedom party, sharply criticized the measure, claiming it was specifically aimed at silencing her and her party. Konstantopoulou has been a vocal opponent of the rule and has previously clashed in Parliament with MPs from New Democracy, SYRIZA, KKE, and the New Left over the system’s introduction.
The new enforcement tool is part of an effort by Parliament’s leadership to maintain order and consistency during sessions, amid frequent disputes over speaking time limits.
