At a critical juncture of his government's term, Kyriakos Mitsotakis is attempting a comprehensive "reboot" of the state machinery and the country's institutional framework. This is not merely a reshuffling of personnel, but a structural reorganization aimed at aligning Greece with the challenges of the 21st century. At the heart of this strategy lie three pillars: Constitutional Revision, the establishment of ministerial incompatibility, and the universal integration of Artificial Intelligence into public administration.
Education and the End of the State Monopoly
The most emblematic and simultaneously controversial aspect of the plan is the revision of Article 16. The government seeks to end the state monopoly on higher education, allowing the operation of non-state, non-profit universities. This move is not only ideological but deeply economic. According to government sources, Greece aims to become a regional educational hub in Southeast Europe, attracting foreign students and preventing brain drain.
- Creation of partnerships with top foreign universities.
- Upgrading the infrastructure of public universities through PPPs.
- Strengthening research and innovation with private capital.
"Greece cannot remain the last country in Europe to ban non-state universities. It is a matter of freedom, but also of national competitiveness," circles within the Maximos Mansion state.
Ministerial Incompatibility and the New Governance Model
Another significant reform concerns the "incompatibility" of ministers. The proposal stipulates that ministers will not be able to hold their parliamentary status or, alternatively, there will be a clear separation between executive duties and parliamentary obligations. The goal is to create a more technocratic and efficient structure, where ministers are dedicated exclusively to their portfolios, away from the pressure of vote-seeking and local clientelistic networks.
This reform is a continuation of the "executive state" (epiteliko kratos), but it seeks to correct the dysfunctions observed in its first phase of implementation. Criticism from the opposition, however, remains intense, with accusations of centralism and the weakening of Parliament's role.
Artificial Intelligence as a Catalyst for Reform
Perhaps the most ambitious part of the plan is the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into every aspect of the state. Kyriakos Mitsotakis has already established the AI Advisory Committee, featuring top scientists like Constantinos Daskalakis. The strategy includes:
- Justice: Using AI to speed up the issuance of decisions and the archiving of cases.
- Health: Predictive models for disease prevention and optimizing resources in hospitals.
- Taxation: Automated audits to combat tax evasion through Big Data analysis.
The government is betting on AI to overcome decades-old bureaucratic pathologies. The implementation of "mAIgov," the digital assistant already in operation, is just the beginning. The vision is a state that "predicts" the citizen's needs even before they are expressed.
Political Challenges and Social Reactions
The implementation of this plan will not be without friction. Constitutional Revision requires broad consensus, which the current political climate does not seem to favor. At the same time, reactions within the university community regarding non-state HEIs are expected to be fierce. The Prime Minister must balance the need for modernization with social cohesion, at a time when inflation and economic uncertainty continue to pressure households. The "reboot" is a high-stakes gamble that will define the legacy of the current administration.
