A New Constitution

Abstract

Constitutional reform was the first task required, in order to relaunch the political process stymied by Goudi. Venizelos with his experience of Cretan constitution making was well equipped to guide the debates, 42 in all, which formulated a new charter. This was grist to his mill. He set out, preserving the fundamental balance between the institutions (Crown and parliament) established in the 1864 constitution, to modernize the political and social systems, enhance justice, fairness and freedoms, and provide more of a role for the state in the economy. The chapter considers in detail the question of land reform, in particular what to do about the large latifundia in Thessaly worked by sharecroppers. Here the solution reached was to provide for expropriation for reasons of public benefit rather than only public necessity, thus opening the way to later land reform. The constitution provided for compulsory free education at the primary level. In sum the new constitution provided a good basis for a renewed political process through a fairer and more modern political system.