Crises As Moments of Truth: Evidence from Greece

Crises are moments of truth- they are turning points in any evolutionary progress. In the Eurozone crisis, Greece has undergone decisive changes so as to adapt to its financial challenges. Economic emergency borne out of the Eurozone crisis has brought about significant change to internal decision-making. Parliamentary activity in Greece has accelerated so as to allow for swift and rapid regulation per the creditors’ demands, while courts have issued a series of decisions that have either endorsed austerity policies or have bounced back with activism, creating a wave of protest to the troika. Thus both democratic deliberation and the quality of judicial review have been significantly affected by the crisis. Constitutional change in Greece seems not to have been affected, though, by political change. Despite the rather frequent electoral activity in the country during the five years after its first bail-out, core policy choices seem to have been externally decided. In such critical moments, what institutional implications could we possibly detect? With this paper, I aim to show evidence of constitutional change in Greece during the ongoing financial crisis. Moreover, to show how this change is taking place despite political change, in the face of the ongoing economic emergency.