G. Floridis: "Judicial council," the dominant view on the revision of Article 86
Justice Minister George Floridis discussed the prevailing opinion on revising Article 86 of the Constitution, which concerns the accountability of ministers in criminal cases.
In a recent radio interview, Greek Justice Minister George Floridis addressed the ongoing discussion about the revision of Article 86 of the Constitution, which governs the accountability and legal repercussions for ministers involved in criminal cases. He highlighted the current dominant view advocating for the establishment of a judicial council composed of prosecutors and judges that would evaluate criminal cases involving ministers, rather than directly involving the Parliament in every instance.
Floridis emphasized the crucial challenge in determining the procedural steps when judicial authorities encounter the name of a minister during an investigation. The proposed approach suggests that instead of immediately transferring such cases to Parliament, prosecutors could continue their investigations or refer the matter to a dedicated council of prosecutors who would decide on the next actions. This shift aims to ensure that justice can be served efficiently without unnecessary political interference.
The concept of a judicial council represents a significant potential reform in how legal accountability for ministers is managed in Greece, aiming to balance judicial independence and political oversight. However, Floridis acknowledged that the extent of parliamentary involvement following an inquiry by this council remains a matter for further discussion, indicating the complexities involved in negotiating legal and political responsibilities.