Greece


Constitutional Background

The current Constitution of Greece was adopted by the Fifth Revisionary Parliament of the Hellenes in 1974 (came into force on 11 June 1975) and is the foundation of the Third Hellenic Republic. The Constitution of 1975 of 1975 has been revised four times: 1986, 2001, 2008 and 2019.

You will find information about the conflict between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) on the Macedonia page.

History and News

  • 25 Nov 2019: Amendment of the Constitution.
  • 2010-2017: Fourteen austerity packages are passed by the Government of Greece
  • 22 Oct -- 23 Dec 2009: Greece's credit rating is downgraded by different credit rating agencies
  • 20 Oct 2009: Greece's budget deficit is expected to reach ~12.5% of GDP.
  • 2008: Amendment of the Constitution.
  • 1 Jan 2001: Introduction of the euro.
  • 2001: Amendment of the Constitution.
  • 1986: Amendment of the Constitution.
  • 1980: Membership in the EU. 
  • 11 June 1975: Adoption of the new Constitution, renewing the parliamentary democracy of Greece. 
  • 1975, 1977: Karamanlis wins elections. 
  • 1974: Following the Cyprus crisis, the military regime resigns and a referendum favors parliamentary democracy. Karamanlis and Papandreou return to Greece, founding two new parties (New Democracy and Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement PASOK). Karamanlis forms a government of "National Unity". 
  • 1973: The Papadopoulos regime collapses under an internal military coup. 
  • 1967: The colonels' putsch installs the dictatorial regime under G. Papadopoulos; the political leadership is exiled. 
  • 1958: Revision of the constitution. 
  • 1952: Membership in NATO. 
  • 1946-1949: Civil war. 
  • 1941-1944: Occupation by German troops. 
  • 1936-1941: Dictatorship of I. Metaxas. 
  • 1935: Monarchy is reinstated under King George II. 
  • 1927: Constitution of the "Second Greek Republic". 
  • 1924: Proclamation of the Greek Republic. 
  • 1922: Defeat of Greece in the war against Turkey in Minor Asia. 1,5 million of Greek refugees flee in mainland. 
  • 1912-13: Balkan wars. 
  • 1911: Revision of the Constitution by E. Venizelos. Foundation of the rule of law in Greece. 
  • 1875: Foundation of parliamentary regime. 
  • 1864: New Constitution. 
  • 1844: The first Constitution of the Greek independent State. 
  • 1830: Declaration of an independent Greek kingdom. 
  • 1821-1827: Revolution and war of Independence. 
  • 1453-1821: Turkish rule. 
  • 330-1453: Byzantine Empire. 
  • 197 B.C.: Beginning of Roman rule. 
  • 336-323 B.C.: Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia, student of Aristotle, founds the Helenistic Empire. 
  • 431-404 B.C.: Peloponnesian war. 
  • 446-429 B.C.: Periclean time. Golden age of Athens. 
  • 490-479 B.C.: Persian wars (Marathon, Salamis, Platää). 
  • 509 B.C.: Foundation of democracy by Kleisthenes. 
  • 600 B.C.: New Constitution by Solon in Athens.
  • 2nd millennium B.C.: Minoan and Cycladic civilizations.
For methodology see: Comparing Constitutions and International Constitutional Law.
© 1994 - 1.7.2022 / For corrections please contact A. Tschentscher.