Deputy Minister of Justice, Giannis Bougas, addressed the possibility of revising Article 86 of the Constitution, following the briefing of European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kovessi on how the provision on ministerial liability could be amended.
“The discussion was not a request from Ms. Kovessi to change Article 86; it was an explanation of how the provision can be revised,” Bougas emphasized, adding that the initiative lies with the legislative branch, not the executive.
According to the Deputy Minister, any revision of Article 86 will only be possible after the 2027 elections, with the process likely concluding in 2029. “Any discussion of revision is long-term; it is not a debate for the coming months,” he noted.
Kovessi reportedly sought clarity on the process because she faces recurring obstacles in investigating international cases, from the Tempi train disaster to OPEKEPE. However, Bougas stated he is unaware of any new cases being prepared by the European prosecutor: “I don’t know, and we didn’t ask her,” he said.
As Bougas explained, the revision timeline requires a decade to pass since the last constitutional revision, and the Prime Minister has already indicated that Article 86 will be included among the provisions proposed by the ND Parliamentary Group.
The discussion around Article 86 thus opens a significant political chapter: strengthening ministerial accountability in a framework where Greece is under international judicial oversight. “You understand that any discussion of revision is a long-term matter,” Bougas concluded, stressing that the process requires stability and political maturity.