vouli

Vouli is the Greek word for a parliamentary assembly, commonly used to refer to Greece’s national legislature, the Hellenic Parliament. The term derives from the ancient Greek boule, meaning a council. In practice, Vouli ton Ellinon is the unicameral national parliament of Greece, seated in Athens.

Function and powers: The Vouli is the supreme legislative body in Greece. It enacts laws, approves the state budget, and oversees the government. It may express confidence or withdraw it from the government and can initiate inquiries through committees. The Parliament also negotiates and ratifies international treaties and has a central role in formulating public policy.

Composition and elections: The Parliament comprises 300 Members of Parliament (MPs), known as vouleftes, elected by proportional representation from multi-member constituencies. MPs serve a term of up to four years, though elections may be called earlier. The Vouli elects the President of the Republic for a five-year term, and it also elects the Speaker (Proedros) who presides over debates.

Procedures: Legislation typically originates with the government or individual MPs, and passes through committee scrutiny and multiple readings before final votes. The Vouli’s procedures include motions of confidence or no confidence, budgetary debates, and parliamentary inquiries to supervise government activity.

History and building: The modern Greek Parliament was established by the 1843 Constitution following the 1843 revolution. Today it sits in a central Athens building near Syntagma Square. The term vouli is used more broadly in Greek to denote legislative assemblies in Greek-speaking communities.