Uproar over government’s nominations for top Supreme Court posts

The government's decision to proceed with filling top Supreme Court and Council of State posts just five weeks before a general election has drawn furious criticism from main opposition New Democracy and constitutional scholars.

Ignoring New Democracy warnings that the appointments can be annulled after the fact by the Council of State, the cabinet today nominated the next Chief Justice and Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Court as well as three vice-presidents of the Council of State.

They will replacing judges and a prosecutor retiring on 30 June.

Τhe cabinet picked Eirini Kalou as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (Areios Pagos), and Dimitra Kokotini as Chief Prosecutor.

New Democracy: 'Appointments unconstitutional'

"The outgoing government despite the opposition's timely warning that it lacks the legitimacy to make any decision beyond those concerning day-to-day affairs, given the fact that it has proclaimed an election, today proceeded with the unconstitutional appointment of a new Chief Justice and Prosecutor of the Supreme Court," New Democracy said in a written statement.

"This is an institutionally unprecedented decision which involves in an unacceptable manner the President of the Republic as he must now decide if he will approve an institutionally illegal and unconstitutional action, as the country's legal experts have said."

Tsipras said the main opposition shows no interest «for the independence of justice, the constitution and the laws,» sources said, and blamed the party for «arrogance and deep contempt of democratic institutions.»

New Democracy says the appointments in a pre-electoral period are unconstitutional.

PM Alexis Tsipras underlined that the process was both...