Greek prime minister pushes constitutional changes

Greek prime minister pushes constitutional changes

The government suggests term limits, transparent finances, a strong presidency and review of lawmaker immunity.

In an effort to make the work of government more accountable and transparent, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras proposed a series of sweeping changes including term limits and opening the books of political parties.

Samaras said he was keen to quell social unease and suggested the measures as the country is recovering from a seven-year-long recession.

Samaras also said the changes will limit how long officials -- including the prime minister -- can stay in office, and will review parliamentary immunity while in office.

"For this new Greece, I will not back down, I will not compromise. I call on you to give me the mandate for us to change Greece together," Samaras said.

Among his recommended changes is for Greeks to elect the country's president -- now chosen by parliament -- and expand the president's powers beyond the mere ceremonial ones. Other key measures forbid ministers from simultaneously serving as MPs and reducing the size of parliament from 300 to 200. Greece has one of the highest ratios of lawmakers per capita in the world.

"The amendment of the constitution is a necessary step for solving many of the Greek problems," Antonis Klapsis, head of research at the Konstantinos Karamanlis Institute of Democracy in Athens, told SETimes.

"These changes will boost the effort of leaving behind the evils of the past and move ahead to a better future. The crisis can be a blessing in disguise," Klapsis said.

Part of the problem is the wall that political parties, which draw money from the treasury based on their results in...