Politics of Athens

Tools:

Following the end of the military dictatorship and a referendum rejecting the monarchy a new Greek constitution was signed in 1975. Since then Greece has functioned as a parliamentary democracy with a president as head of state with five-year terms. The president appoints the prime minister. The members of the Cabinet are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister. Legislative power is controlled by a one-chamber parliament of 300 seats, whose members are elected for four-year terms. Voting is compulsory in Greece from the age of eighteen.

The Greek judicial system is divided into civil, criminal and administrative courts.

Greece is divided into fifty-one prefectures, or nomoi-nomos, with one autonomous region called the Ayion Oros on the Mt. Athos which is run by monks.

Greece has long-standing territorial disputes with Turkey and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Greece has been part of NATO since 1952.

At the time of writing violent clashes between Greek youth and police have been taking place all over Greece. The violence was triggered by the death of 15-year-old boy at the hands of a policeman. A latent Greek contempt for the police has existed since the days of the dictatorship, when security forces were regarded as defenders of the junta and therefore traitors to the people. The current violence has been fuelled by popular anger over corruption and economic hardship and has shaken the unpopular conservative government of Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis. Indeed in four years of conservative rule a series of scandals, devastating forest fires and unsuccessful economic measures have erased the optimistic mood of 2004 when Athens hosted the Olympics Games.

Update 31/12/2008

Related articles:

Tools:

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Addthis

Recommended Partners

Keep more of your money when transferring funds overseas!

Fexco_logo

If you want to move money abroad, from Greece or to Greece for example, Fexco provides efficient and secure global bank to bank transfers and bespoke payment solutions for both business and personal clients.

Why Fexco

Fexco provides a secure international money transfer service online or by telephone with bank beating fx rates and low fees. Specialises in high-value transfers.

Faster, cheaper, safer International money transfers.
Dedicated fx dealer who will oversee your transfer from start to finish
Make payments from anywhere with our secure online platform, PayDirect.
If you prefer the personal touch, then our payments team can be contacted by phone.

Main characteristics

Fexco will help you to keep your overseas money transfer costs to a minimum.

Margin 0.6%
Regulator FCA
Fee £10 < £5K or Free > £5k
Mini £1K
Ccy All (130 currencies, incl ‘exotics’)
Services Repatriation of funds, Property, Regular payments, High Value payments, spot, online, telephone.

Get an online quote today

When you are ready to make your transfer, John and his team will be available to help you with better rates and an unrivalled service to make sure your funds are delivered securely and speedily.



Do you have comments or personal information to communicate about this article? Add your comment.


Find more definitions and general answers on expatriation issues in the Expat FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions).

Go to the Forum to talk more about politics of Athens, overview.

Download the full digital PDF expat guide in Athens

Download the guide: Athens, Greece
  • See in one single booklet all the articles for a city guide for expatriates.
  • Enjoy full colour photos to illustrate each section.
  • Additionnal maps: Region, City view, Neighborhood, Street view.

  • - My Life Abroad -
    A selection of expat stories

    "A fun compulsive read!"
    J. Matcham, Amazon

    "I strongly advise people ready to live abroad to read this book!"
    Patrice, Amazon