Greek parliament approves 2027 budget of 202.9 million euros, up 18 million

The vote

The plenary of the Greek Parliament approved the Parliament's own spending budget for 2027 by a broad majority on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. New Democracy, PASOK and SYRIZA voted in favour, while the KKE, Niki and Plefsi Eleftherias declared 'present', and reports differ on how Elliniki Lysi voted. The plenary also approved the 2025 spending account, which drew wider support, with Elliniki Lysi voting yes alongside the three parties that backed the budget. The 2027 budget comes to 202.9 million euros, up 18 million on 2026 and 33 million on 2025, when it stood at 169.82 million euros. Parliament president Nikitas Kaklamanis said it is the first time in 15 years that the Parliament's budget has passed 200 million euros.

2025169.82

2027202.9

2025

169.82 million euros

2027

202.9 million euros

Data from the article text

Budget and staffing

The rise is driven mainly by pay increases for Parliament's staff, which follow the across-the-board raise for public-sector employees, and by a digital upgrade of Parliament's information systems. The payroll line for staff rises from 131.6 million euros in 2026 to 141.05 million euros in 2027, and most of the 202.9 million euros goes to salaries for staff and MP allowances. Parliament currently employs 1,567 people against 2,111 planned posts. From 1 January 2027, each MP will be entitled to three political appointees instead of two, and two seconded civil servants instead of three, a change the small opposition parties had requested because they struggle to find civil servants willing to be seconded to their offices. Kaklamanis argued that MPs must be paid enough to live decently, warning that otherwise the chamber would fill with people from wealthy families and those without a profession.

“MPs are an institution, and we must live with dignity.”

Pay and pensions

Kaklamanis recalled that MPs' salaries were cut sharply during the economic crisis and have been frozen since, while former MPs' pensions were reduced by 70%. Reports say a proposal to double the committee attendance fee from 75 to 150 euros and raise the rent allowance from 1,000 to 1,300 euros was not pursued, because Kaklamanis sought unanimity among the parties and none was reached. Kaklamanis said no increase is planned in MP compensation or committee fees. On the staff side, he said two long-standing demands had been met: supplementary insurance for 600 permanent employees after a 10-year wait, and the full achievement incentive set out in law. He also said the staff association would receive a grant of 600,000 euros.

He urged parties to defend Parliament's employees against what he called a small section of the press, saying Parliament is more than its walls.

“Parliament is not the walls and the building. We are the people.”

Building and projects

Kaklamanis presented the facade restoration of the Parliament building as the largest project planned. Scaffolding is expected to go up by the end of 2026 for work on facades that have not been restored since the building was constructed about 180 years ago. The works cost 6 million euros and are expected to last about two years, with half funded by the Green Fund and half by ESPA, according to Kaklamanis. The Benaki Library, whose contract had been halted, is to be delivered in the first half of 2027. Within 2027, a three-storey building on Filellinon Street is to be restored to house Parliament services, and a green roof funded by a sponsor is planned. A tender for a new information system is also being launched.