In an unprecedented move, Greece's Supreme Court (Areios Pagos), has condemned the European Parliament's resolution on the state of the rule of law and press freedom in the country. The controversial decision, endorsed by a majority of 49 judges, has stirred discussions in legal and political circles.
It is worth noting that the European Parliament's resolution, which had passed with 330 votes in favor, 254 against, and 26 abstentions, officially censured Greece for perceived shortcomings in its adherence to the principles of the rule of law and freedom of the press. The Parliament, in a joint effort by the progressive political groups – the Left, the Greens, the Social Democrats, and the Renew party, raised concerns on several critical issues.
While such judicial interventions are exceptional, this particular move by the Arios Pagos has its roots in the broader political and legal context of Greece. The Greek court's decision reflects a complex interplay of legal, political, and social factors that have fueled tensions between the judiciary and the European Parliament. The Arios Pagos' assertion of its position in a matter of high political sensitivity underscores the court's perception of an urgent need to safeguard the nation's legal autonomy. In addition, the Greek court’s clash with the European Parliament has been raising some important questions about Greek democracy and its impact on the European Union at large.
The European Parliament's demands
- Media Freedom and Journalist Safety: The resolution scrutinized media pluralism and journalist safety, expressing distress over the lack of progress in investigations into the April 2021 murder of journalist Giorgos Karaivaz.
- Spyware and Surveillance Practices: Strongly condemning the misuse of "threat to national security" for unacceptable wiretaps, the Parliament demanded investigations into monitoring of political opponents, including Members of the European Parliament.
- Police Violence, Migrant Mistreatment, and Democratic Oversight: Emphasizing police brutality, corruption allegations, and conflicts of interest, the Parliament raised concerns about migrant treatment, systematic pushbacks, attacks on civil society, and the lack of impartiality in parliamentary investigations.
