Background
Officially called the Hellenic Republic, Greece’s system of government is called a Parliamentary Republic. This means that the people of Greece elect their representatives in a national legislature, and the President is then chosen by the legislature from the dominant political party. General elections of Greece are typically held every four years unless the Parliament of Greece is dissolved earlier. The age to vote in Greece is 18. The Third Republic, which is the current republic, was established in 1974 when the military regime that had ruled Greece collapsed. The President of the Republic The president of Greece is chosen every five years and is the Head of State. He is at the top of the Legislative and Execute branches of Greek government. He has very limited powers but he does have several formal duties such as appointing the Prime Minister, he represents Greece to other states, and appoints or dismisses other government officials on the advice of the Prime Minister, among other things. |
The current President of Greece is Karolos Papoulias. He has been president since 2005. Before becoming President, Papoulias was a pole vault champion, an attorney, political activist, parliament member, president of the National Athletics Association, and an official of the national volleyball team.
The Prime Minister The Prime Minister is appointed by the President and is the Head of Government. He is also part of the Ministerial Council, the primary decision-making entity that constitutes the Government of Greece, along with other Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and Ministers without portfolio. The current Prime Minister of Greece is Antonis Samaras, who was appointed mid-2012. The Constitution The base of the Greek government is the constitution, or the Charter of the State. It contains a list of human rights, as well as the rules for the structure of the State and the powers of the authorities of the government. It was enforced in 1975 and voted on by the Fifth Revisionary Parliament. |
Government Resources
Conservapedia. (2010, August 11). Parliamentary republic. Retrieved from http://www.conservapedia.com/Parliamentary_Republic
Hellenic republic. (2012). Government and politics. Retrieved from http://www.mfa.gr/usa/en/about-greece/government-and-politics/
Schneider, H. (2012). Samaras takes office as greek prime minister [photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/world/samaras-takes-office-as-greek-prime-minister-641267/
Wikepedia. (2013). Karolos papoulias [photograph]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karolos_Papoulias
Hellenic republic. (2012). Government and politics. Retrieved from http://www.mfa.gr/usa/en/about-greece/government-and-politics/
Schneider, H. (2012). Samaras takes office as greek prime minister [photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/world/samaras-takes-office-as-greek-prime-minister-641267/
Wikepedia. (2013). Karolos papoulias [photograph]. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karolos_Papoulias