With an overwhelming majority, but also confrontations featuring the leader of Course of Freedom and New Democracy’s parliamentary representative Dimitris Kairidis, the Parliament’s plenary approved the Parliament budget for 2026. MPs from New Democracy, PASOK, SYRIZA, New Left, Greek Solution and Victory voted in favor, while Course of Freedom voted against. The Communist Party chose to vote “present”.
During his address, Parliament Speaker Nikitas Kaklamanis firmly defended the institution’s prestige, rejecting any tendency toward populism and toxicity, and emphasized that Parliament’s operation serves as a model of transparency and proper management.
Nikitas Kaklamanis: If only the entire Greek public sector operated with the same objectivity and productivity as the Hellenic Parliament
“If only the entire Greek public sector operated with the same objectivity and productivity as the Hellenic Parliament,” he characteristically noted, adding that “never in the thirty-plus years I have served in Parliament has Parliament been implicated in any scandal.”
He also thanked the parties and their representatives for their stance in the Conference of Presidents, noting that the overwhelming majority supported the Parliament Foundation’s achievements, while clarifying that there was never any proposal for 13th and 14th salaries for MPs’ collaborators. “The Parliament Speaker is not here for cheers and applause. He is here to assume responsibilities, even unpopular ones, when they are just,” he said meaningfully, reminding that every Speaker’s basic obligation is protecting the dignity of Greek MPs.
Referring to Parliament’s finances, Mr. Kaklamanis noted that “only 2‰ of state expenditures concern Parliament’s operation,” emphasizing that democracy doesn’t cost, but is worth it. He also corrected misunderstandings about employee allowances, clarifying that the hazardous duty allowance applies only to about 70 workers (cleaners, nurses and laborers), exactly as occurs in the rest of the public sector.
He made special reference to Parliament’s social action, recalling significant donations to the National Health System and universities: from the 50 ICU beds at “Sotiria” hospital during the pandemic, to this year’s support for the new building of EKPA’s Dental School, Red Cross surgeries and infrastructure at the Avlona juvenile detention facilities.
Nikitas Kaklamanis finally emphasized Parliament’s cultural role, highlighting the former Tobacco Factory which, he said, “has been transformed into a culturally recognized hub with international recognition,” and Parliament’s TV channel, “which operates without revenue and without advertisements, serving exclusively public information.”
In closing, the Parliament Speaker renewed his commitment: “I will always defend Parliament workers and the dignity of Greek MPs. I will never succumb to populism.” With this message of responsibility and institutional consistency, Nikitas Kaklamanis asked the plenary to approve the report and budget.
Konstantopoulou – Kairidis confrontation
During the discussion, there was a confrontation between Course of Freedom leader Zoe Konstantopoulou and New Democracy’s parliamentary representative Dimitris Kairidis. The incident occurred when Zoe Konstantopoulou rejected a proposal that –as she said– was made for granting housing allowances to provincial MPs. “Parliament is not for those who were born with silver spoons and have your kind of ‘assets declaration,'” New Democracy’s parliamentary representative Dimitris Kairidis said to Ms. Konstantopoulou.
