At Mesimeri and Kati, the jurist and constitutional expert, Achilleas Emilianidis, was hosted on Tuesday morning. Mr. Emilianidis was asked and explained his opinion on the problematic political appointment of the Chief of Police.
The discussion in question arises from the intense rumors of the last few days about the replacement of Stelios Papatheodoros by a non-uniformed person. The President of the Republic himself, when asked about the possible suspension of the Chief of Police, did not deny anything, but did not confirm that the appointment will concern a civilian or a uniformed officer.
The jurist explained that the Constitution provides for a political and not a technocratic appointment, which means that the respective Chief is appointed and dismissed by the President without any criteria for dismissal. This is not the case with the other officials.
“In 1960 the armed forces were considered to be subordinate to the Head of Government based on an old concept. It was an evolution of the monarchy. This remained.. it is paradoxical if you like because there is already a political person in charge and that is the current Minister of Justice.
The problem, the concept of the political appointment of the Chief in 2023 is problematic. Based on the modern notions of the Police we want, the Police are now not an arm of government. The citizen wants to feel that the Police is acting in the public interest. There should be an independent House," explained the jurist.
The Constitution places no restrictions on who becomes Chief. But there is a logic in appointing someone who has something to do with the Police, he said.
“That's the evil and that's why I said I disagree. The concept of political appointment means you can get anyone. This is not healthy for the leadership of the Police. This can be changed very easily with a constitutional revision, i.e. with 2/3 of the MPs. It is a non-fundamental provision, a formula can be found, with 2/3 of the deputies", he said in closing.
Sigmalive
