The life sentence amendment was approved by majority vote in the Greek Parliament’s Plenary Session, marking one of the most significant changes introduced by the Justice Ministry’s bill. The amendment provides for the increase of the actual time served to 30 years in cases of multiple life sentences, as a prerequisite for establishing the right to conditional release. It also includes a series of additional measures relating to aggravated pimping, the training of prosecutors at the National School of Judicial Officers, and amendments to the Code of Civil Procedure.
Life sentences: What the Justice Ministry’s amendment provides for
The Justice Ministry’s bill, titled “Measures for protection against strategic lawsuits aimed at discouraging public participation in accordance with Directive (EU) 2024/1069 – New framework for administrative compliance with court decisions,” was approved in principle by the Plenary with the votes of New Democracy, while opposition parties voted against it.
Both ministerial amendments that had been tabled were also approved by majority vote.
The Justice Ministry’s amendment provides for:
- the increase of the minimum time actually served in cases of multiple life sentences, as a prerequisite for establishing the right to conditional release subject to revocation,
- the tightening and expansion of the aggravated form of pimping,
- the reduction of the practical training period for students in the Prosecutors’ track of the 32nd training cohort of the National School of Judicial Officers,
- as well as the abolition, effective 1 September, of Article 989 of the Code of Civil Procedure, along with a transitional provision for pending applications for the attachment of an enforcement order.
How the parties voted in Parliament
The Justice Ministry’s amendment was approved with the affirmative votes of New Democracy and PASOK – Movement for Change.
It was voted down by SYRIZA and the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), while Greek Solution and Niki declared themselves “present” during the vote.
Meanwhile, the second ministerial amendment, which included provisions from the Ministries of Health, Education, Rural Development, and Infrastructure, was approved with the votes of New Democracy. Voting against this particular amendment were the KKE, SYRIZA, and Greek Solution, while PASOK – KINAL and Niki opted to declare themselves “present.”
The vote on both the bill and the amendments was conducted by ballot submission from the rapporteurs and party speakers. Plefsi Eleftherias (Course of Freedom) is expected to submit its own ballot at a later stage.
