During the proceedings of the annual general meeting of the members of the Union of Judges and Prosecutors (EDE), the Minister of Justice, George Floridis, stated that there has been no question of increasing the retirement age of judicial officials and this issue is not linked to the retirement limits of other employees , which will remain the same.

More specifically, Mr. Floridis said: “The debate on the Constitutional revision will start towards the end of 2025, but of course this does not remove the possibility from all of us to raise these issues. I am saying this from now on so that there are no misunderstandings. There has been no question of increasing the age limit for staying in the body and if the limit for staying for judges is increased it will be done on a voluntary basis.

But even if this issue is raised, it is not connected to the current retirement limits that apply to other employees, as they will remain the same.”

Furthermore, the Minister of Justice stated that “indeed there is the issue of artificial intelligence, but I want to assure that there is no issue of replacing the natural judge by artificial intelligence, this is not going to be done by the government” and added:

“It is a tool to facilitate. We are considering introducing it to the translation of texts and for interpretation, so that the procedures and the publication of decisions can be expedited.”

Finally, Mr. Floridis said that in the spring there will be new legislation, namely a full legislation on alternative dispute resolution, so that a number of cases can be resolved outside the courts, but the crucial role of lawyers will remain.

The president of the EDE, Christoforos Sevastidis, regarding the increase in the age limit for leaving the judiciary, said:

“We are hearing more and more frequent messages that the retirement limits will be set on a new basis in relation to the 67 years that the Constitution currently defines. With arguments in favor of the active aging of the population, the inability of the insurance systems to meet their obligations, solidarity between generations, planning for the extension of working life has been cultivated for a long time in Europe.

In fact, it is presented as a voluntary choice of employees to work until 70 or even 72 years, at a time when it is known to everyone that pensions are no longer sufficient to cover basic needs” and he added:

“We are well aware and understand that increasing the retirement age for judicial officers is not an end in itself but a vehicle to drive the entire public and private sector to a corresponding increase.

The age limits for judges to leave their service is not a strictly trade union issue but a deeper social one and requires the cooperation and united attitude of all employees”.

At the same time, the president of the Union linked the increase in retirement limits with the assumption of new duties by judges in the authorities, etc., once they retire, underlining:

“The request for a constitutional ban on taking public office by non-serving judicial officials at least for a period of two or three years after leaving the service is also directly connected. A request by the Judiciary quite advanced and unprecedented for Greek society, which calls for self-restraint for the sake of the proper functioning of the state” and pointed out:

“Since the government indirectly recognizes that the appointment of judicial officers to administrative positions immediately after their retirement calls into question a judicial career of decades and creates suspicions in society as to whether the revolving door theory also touches the third pillar of power, it is the duty of of the State to protect Justice at the highest level of institutional recognition”.

Also, Mr. Sebastidis opposed the introduction of technical intelligence in the Justice, which he called “undoubtedly a cutting edge issue” and reiterated the necessity of restoring the 13th and 14th salary (Christmas and Easter gifts and summer leave allowance).

During his greeting, the president of the Council of State, Michalis Pikramenos, pointed out that “there is a huge problem of trust in the judiciary and everyone has their share of responsibility, but the judges also have a big share” and continued:

“Where is it due to?” In that the judges do not respond in a reasonable time in processing cases, in dealing with the parties in the audience, in the reckless use of social media and in the constant salary claims. Very correctly, yesterday the Salary Court issued a decision that judges are not exempted from the solidarity levy. There must be a feeling of social solidarity in the country at some point. Our neighbor can’t get 700 euros and we always ask for more.

The role of Judicial Associations should not only be assertive but also reflective. We have a responsibility commensurate with the legislator. The people expect seriousness. We must have a behavior consistent with judicial officials.”

The president of the Athens Bar Association, Dimitris Vervesos, said that the decisions of the ECtHR show the problematic attitude of the SC, with the government completely ignoring the legal body in the relevant committee.

According to Mr. Verveso, ECtHR decisions Zoumboulidis and Tsiolis v. Greece condemn legal formalism and extreme red tape. Finally, the president of the DSA added that “the ECtHR remains the slowest court in Europe in issuing decisions and the delay is often enough it goes beyond the limits of denial.”