Greek PM Mitsotakis Confronts Nikos Pappas in Parliament Over Judicial Reform and Past Conviction

Athens, Greece – During a recent parliamentary session, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis engaged in a sharp exchange with opposition MP Nikos Pappas, advocating for a constitutional amendment to Article 86. The Prime Minister's remarks focused on judicial reform, emphasizing the need for politicians to be tried by regular courts rather than special parliamentary procedures. "We will propose the revision of Article 86 so that the role of Parliament is limited and cases reach the natural judge faster," Mitsotakis stated from the podium. He directly challenged Pappas, referencing a past conviction: "You were convicted 13-0 by the Special Court. Stop talking now. You went to justice. Not because your party wanted it, and you were convicted." The Prime Minister reiterated, "How do you not want the article to change? You were convicted by justice, by the Supreme Court, with a heavy, dishonorable charge for any politician." The debate underscores the ongoing political discourse in Greece regarding accountability and the legal framework governing public officials.