Second vote on the Constitution on 16 September

Parliament proceeds on Wednesday 16 September 2026 with the second and final vote on the constitutional revision, according to a report by tovima.gr. At this second stage of the procedure, a majority of 180 deputies is required, not a simple majority of 151 seats, which makes the outcome of the vote uncertain. Among the articles being put up for revision are Article 16 on private university schools, Article 86 on the criminal responsibility of ministers, Article 102 on local government, and Article 103, which concerns the tenure of civil servants. The latter, according to reports so far, is the most controversial point of the entire revision.

The possible abolition of civil service tenure by Article 103 has provoked a reaction from ADEDY, the confederation representing public sector workers. ADEDY has announced a work stoppage and rally at Constitution Square at 12:00 noon on Wednesday 16 September 2026, according to a report by tanea.gr. The confederation argues that tenure is a fundamental institution that protects the public interest, legality, and the continuity of the state, and places among its demands permanent and stable employment, real wage increases, protection of labour rights, and strengthening of public education and health. Meanwhile, according to reports, opposition parties have signaled that they are unwilling to support the revision package, arguing that it would give a blank check to the next Parliament.

ADEDY’s mobilization finds resonance at the regional level, as hospital workers express their opposition to the removal of tenure. The Association of Employees of the University General Hospital of Heraklion (PAGNI) issued a statement on Tuesday 15 September 2026, in which it states approximately 350 vacant nursing staff positions at the hospital and 21 resignations in the past month, calling for mass permanent appointments. As the association stated, “In the hospital, permanent and stable employment is not a privilege of the worker, it is a prerequisite for the safe operation of the public Health system”. This position reflects the way public sector workers link tenure to the operation of basic public health services, beyond each worker’s individual employment term.

The outcome of the vote on Wednesday 16 September 2026 remains uncertain, as the required majority of 180 deputies is significantly higher than a simple majority. With opposition parties having signaled refusal to support, according to relevant reports, the result depends on the final positions of the parliamentary groups. In any case, the final say on the completion of the constitutional revision will rest with the next Parliament, in the next revision cycle, according to the constitutional procedure. Meanwhile, with the parliamentary procedure, the mobilization of ADEDY and bodies like PAGNI’s association is expected to continue, with the work stoppage and the rally at Constitution Square constituting the first visible point of reaction ahead of the vote.