THE STATUTE OF THE CHRISTIAN DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT

 

CHAPTER 1

 

Article 1: Establishment – Headquarters

 

The “Christian Democracy Movement” (C.D.M. For short) was established on May 12, 1953 as a party by Nikolaos Psaroudakis and was re-established on January 6, 1975 as a social movement, which activates its electoral/party character whenever it deems appropriate. It is headquartered in Athens and operates in accordance with the provisions of this Statute.

 

Article 2: Purpose – Means

 

The “Christian Democracy Movement” has a socio-political and spiritual character, because it considers the social and political problem to be part of the entire human problem.

 

1. a) Purpose

 

The purpose of the Christian Democracy Movement is to study and address political, social, spiritual and cultural problems based on the Christian-social teaching of the Gospel and the Fathers of the Orthodox Church, the democratic and communal Greek tradition and the findings of science.

 

In particular, its purpose is:

 

— To contribute to the Christian-social education of its members and other citizens as well as to the upgrading of Greek education.

 

— To give Christian-social witness in the political arena, promoting respect for the freedom of persons as well as the right to work, social equality and justice, and denouncing the exploitation of man by man, economic and social discrimination and plutocracy.

 

— To fight for the consolidation and qualitative development of Democracy throughout society and in every country, with the principles of equality, dialogue, participation and responsibility of citizens in the institutions of society and political ministry, without exceptions.

 

— To ensure the protection of the environment, cultivating love of nature and sustainable development.

 

— To defend National Independence, cultivating historical consciousness and an enlightened patriotism, and to contribute to international cooperation and peace, exercising respect for other nations, without intolerance.

 

— To exercise social criticism of oppressive structures and relations of injustice and to anthropologically and ethically objectively criticize every one-dimensional ideology, idealism, capitalist and Marxist materialism, totalitarianism and dictatorship, conspiratorial anti-democratic Freemasonry or other oligarchic organizations that undermine democracy

 

— To cultivate, within the framework of local communities and parishes, the spirit of participation, brotherhood and solidarity and to contribute to the creation of another State with the vision of a new society of freedom and justice.

 

— Before the conquest of central power: to create first, groups for the active implementation of political actions within society, combining the participation and freedom of citizens, with the ministerial request of resurrection of the new “Communities” of the Greeks, with a revolutionary and democratic spirit of social justice. Towards a more consistent struggle for the socio-political transformation of social life in the form of movement actions, introducing a new political strategy. The main task of the members and friends of the C.D.M. is to apply themselves the spirit of community and direct democracy or productive cooperation through social institutions, so as to move from rhetoric or denunciation to responsible action, avoiding the temptation of hypocrisy and asking for the grace of ministry from the Triune God.  [The paragraph was added by the 9th Congress]

 

That is why the C.D.M. will strive to elevate to leadership positions individuals who will exercise, in the spirit and ethos of socio-political ministry, all collective, trade union, municipal, ecclesiastical and state power.

 

—To cooperate with other movements in Greece and abroad to address social and national problems, to open the way to Christian Socialism and social justice, with freedom, equality and solidarity.

 

The principles and ethos of the struggles of the C.D.M. are determined by the decisions of its Congresses.

 

1. b) Means

 

Means for achieving the purpose of the C.D.M. are:

 

— The establishment of Local Organizations (L.Os for short) and the development of a network of individuals and movements within the framework of the (autonomous) Christian Social Political Movement of the  C.D.M.

 

— Participation, in accordance with the spirit of the C.D.M., in ecological and popular movements for peace, social rights and democracy.

 

— Participation in the activities and operation of the Local Self-Government, the cooperative and labor movement, as well as the exercise of every public work and role, with an ethos of Christian social ministry.

 

— Trade union activity with a willingness to cooperate, to assert rights and to assume social responsibility.

 

— The publication and distribution of the newspaper “Christianiki”.

 

— The publication of books and magazines.

 

— The organization of speeches, events and seminars (conferences).

 

— The cooperation with social and political movements and parties with related goals.

 

— The creation of a Youth organization, the development of which is given special importance.

 

CHAPTER 2: ORGANIZATION – ADMINISTRATION – BODIES

 

Article 3 Organizational form of the Movement

 

1. The C.D.M. is a network of persons – members residing in Greece and abroad.

 

2. Local members in Greece and abroad may form a Local Organization (L.O.), which operates in accordance with regulations that it itself defines: Depending on the case, it may bear the distinctive name “ C.D.M. Prefectural Organization”, “City Organization”, or any other name it chooses.

 

3. The formation of the above organizations is made by decision of the Political Bureau, when requested by at least three persons.

 

4. It is possible to create another local movement with headquarters in another city of the Prefecture, when this is required by the geographical conditions of the Prefecture. The same can happen with the cities of Athens, Thessaloniki and Piraeus or other large cities.

 

Article 4: Supreme Body

 

The Supreme Body of the Movement is the Panhellenic Congress (PA.C.).

 

Article 5: The other Bodies (Hierarchical)

 

1. Central Bodies

 

1. Central Committee (C.C.)

 

1. The Political Bureau (P.B.)

 

1. President and Vice-President

 

 

2.Regional Bodies

 

1. a) Local Assembly

 

1. b) Local Committee

 

1. c) Local Representative.

 

1. STRUCTURE OF CENTRAL BODIES

 

Article 6: The Panhellenic Congress (PA.C.)

 

1. The Panhellenic Congress is convened by the Central Committee regularly every three years and extraordinarily in the following cases:

 

1. a) Upon a decision of the Central Committee, in which case, a majority of 3/5 of its members is required.

 

1. b) When half plus one of all members of the Movement request it in writing from the Central Committee.

 

1. c) [Abolished by the Eighth Congress]

 

2. The PA.C., regular or extraordinary, consists of all members of the Movement who are financially eligible.

 

3. The regular PA.C. is convened for the purpose of:

 

1. a) To approve or not the administrative report of the outgoing C.C.

 

1. b) To determine the general guidelines in all matters of the Movement.

 

1. c) To elect a new C.C. every three years and to authorize it to implement the decisions.

 

1. d) To elect a President and Vice-President of the Movement.

 

1. e) To proceed, if it deems it necessary, to amendments to the Statute.

 

4. The agenda of the regular PA.C. is drawn up by the C.C. two months before its convening. Any member of the Movement may propose the inclusion of other issues on the agenda until the above period.

 

5. The extraordinary PA.C. deals with and decides exclusively on the issues that prompted its convening.

 

6. Other issues, outside the agenda, are not allowed to be discussed and cause decisions to be made, unless, in the judgment of the Congress, an extraordinary incident has occurred.

 

7. The PA.C. is in quorum with 3/5 of the members who have been invited and decides by absolute majority, unless otherwise specified in the Statute. When on the first day there is no quorum, the Congress is postponed to the next day, when the presence of 1/2 of the invited members is required. If even then a quorum is not achieved, the Congress is postponed to a more convenient time.

 

The Central Committee may postpone the convening of the Ordinary Congress for a period longer than the three-year period provided for in this Statute, but not beyond five years from the convening of the previous Ordinary Congress, by its reasoned decision. [The second paragraph of paragraph 7 was added by the Eighth Congress]

 

8. The possibility of voting by mail is given to members who participate remotely in the proceedings of the Congress. The postal votes are counted together with the votes of the in-person vote 7 days from the end of the Congress, within which they must also have arrived by post, so that the ballot box can be opened and the new members of the Central Committee as well as the President and Vice-President(s) of the Movement of the C.D.M. can be elected. The new Central Committee meets in the following days after the results are announced, for the election of the Political Bureau, Secretary and Treasurer.

[Paragraph 8 was added by the 10th Congress]

 

Article 7: Central Committee (C.C. For short)

 

1. The C.C. is elected by the PA.C. by secret ballot, from which a list of successful candidates is formed, according to the number of votes of the candidates.

 

2. The C.C. consists of the President, the Vice-President and the first members from the successful list, so that the total number of members of the C.C. reaches 19.

 

3. The next 5 members (in order of success) are the alternate members of the C.C. and participate in its meetings with the right to speak.

 

4. The right to vote is granted to alternate members in a number equal to the number of regular members who are absent. These members are also taken into account for the quorum.

 

5. Regular members of the Central Committee, who for any reason withdraw, are replaced by alternates and the alternates by the first ones following on the list of successes.

 

6. The Central Committee meets in Athens or another city regularly every six months at the invitation of the General Assembly to outline the more specific positions of the Movement based on the directions of the General Assembly, to approve the actions of the President and the General Assembly. and in general, to make decisions on the agenda items, which are drawn up by the General Assembly and which may be amended at the beginning of the meeting.

 

7. An extraordinary meeting of the C.C. may be called by the President or 1/3 of its members, upon their written request to the President. The relevant invitation must state the issues.

 

8. The C.C. is in quorum with 3/5 of its members.

 

9. The C.C. decides by an absolute majority of those present. However, for the removal of a member of the C.C. or the P.B., a majority of 4/5 of its total number of members is required.

 

10. The sessions of the C.C. are chaired by the President or his deputy.

 

11. A member of the C.C. who is absent from three consecutive sessions, without a written excuse, automatically loses his status and the first alternate is called in his place. If the absent member has declared in writing in advance that he is unable to participate in the work of the body, for reasons beyond his control, he does not lose his status and during this period he is replaced by an alternate member.

 

12. The C.C.:

 

1. a) Determines the stance of the Movement and its Journal on current developments in general and on issues related to the goals of the Movement within the framework set by the PA.C.

 

1. b) Takes care of the general theoretical foundation and the promotion of the positions of the Movement.

 

1. c) Takes care of the entire organization and activity of the Movement.

 

1. d) Elects a Secretary at the first meeting after the CONGRESS, who is assigned the responsibility of handling correspondence in collaboration with the President and signing documents, as well as planning actions and coordinating groups of persons who are part of the organizational structure of the Movement or who collaborate with it within the framework of the decisions of the Central Committee and the Political Bureau.

 

1. e) Elects a Treasurer at the A’ after its CONGRESS convening, who is assigned the financial management of the Movement and the processing of the financial transactions (withdrawals, deposits, payments) of the Movement with Banks and Public Organizations or with individuals for the period authorized by the President.

 

13. The Central Committee decides with an expanded composition whether the Movement will intervene in the (European-national-local) elections autonomously, in collaboration with other bodies, or by supporting individual candidates. In this case of C.C. expanded composition, the additional number of C.D.M. Members participants is equal to the number of members of the Central Committee, with representation proportional to the number of paid-up members of the Movement in each region of the country and abroad, in a manner that achieves as much proportional representation as possible of the distribution of members by region. The representatives of the members are appointed by the members of each Region, either by Assembly or by consultation among themselves. [Paragraph 13 was added by the Eighth Congress]

 

Article 8: The Political Bureau  (P.B. for short)

 

1. The P.B. consists of the President, the Vice-President and five (5) members of the C.C. elected by the C.C. itself.

 

2. The members of the P.B. are assigned specific responsibilities and are irrevocable by the Central Committee.

 

3. The Political Bureau:

 

1. a) Determines the political line of the Movement and its Newspaper within the framework set by the PA. and the Central Committee.

 

1. c) Comes into contact with other political parties and organizations.

 

1. d) Exercises political enlightenment through articles, speeches, texts, etc.

 

1. e) Takes care of the theoretical foundation of the Movement.

 

1. f) Takes care of the entire administration of the Movement.

 

4. 4. The B. is convened by the President at regular intervals determined by the General Assembly itself. In the event of the President’s refusal to convene it, then the meeting of 3/5 of its members is valid, provided that all members have been notified.

 

5. 5. The B. is in quorum with 3/5 of its members and decides by an absolute majority of those present. In the event of a tie, the President’s vote prevails.

 

Article 9: President and Vice-President

 

1. The President and Vice-President are elected by the PA.C. by secret ballot and their term of office lasts until the convening of the next PA.C, at which time they submit their resignation together with the other members of the CC.

 

If in the first vote for the election of President none of the candidates obtains an absolute majority, the vote is repeated between the first two.

 

2. All members of the Panhellenic Congress may be candidates for the position of President.

 

3. The President:

 

1. a) Is, together with the P.B., responsible for the administration of the Movement.

 

1. b) Presides over the Central Committee and the Political Bureau and the Regional Bodies of the D.M..

 

1. c) Represents the Movement in all its relations with natural and legal persons and authorities.

 

1. d) Monitors the implementation of the provisions of the Statute, controls the operation of all the bodies of the Movement and generally acts within the framework of the decisions of the C., C.C. and P.B..

 

4. Vice-President:

 

1. a) The President, when absent, hindered or unable to perform his duties, is replaced by the Vice-President.

 

1. b) The President assigns specific areas of activity to the Vice-President, in which he develops initiatives, in accordance with the decisions of the collective bodies of the Movement, after informing the President.

 

 

1. STRUCTURE OF THE REGIONAL BODIES

 

Article 10: The Local Assembly (LA) and the Local Committee (LC)

 

1. The totality of the regular members of a Local Organization (LO) constitutes the Local Assembly (LA) of the LO, which is its supreme body. Only paid-up members participate in the procedures and are counted in the quorums.

 

2. The internal operation of the Organization is determined by itself, after informing the Political Bureau.

 

Article 11: Replacement of members of the Movement’s Bodies

 

1. A member of a Movement body is removed from office by decision of the body that elected him, for the following reasons:

 

a)Incompetence or inability to fulfill his duties.

 

1. b) Breach of his duties.

 

1. c) Serious violation of the Statutes.

 

2. When it comes to a member of the Central Committee, the decision is made by the same, in which case a majority of 3/5 of those present is required.

 

CHAPTER 3: MEMBERS

 

Article 12: Registration – Duties – Rights

 

1. Conditions.

 

1. a) Members of the Movement may become men and women who have reached the age of 18 and accept the principles and Statutes of the Movement. Those aged 15-18 may become probationary members.

 

1. b) For registration, the candidate member submits a special written application to the P.B. or, if there is one, to the L.O. of the prefecture or city where he resides. The application form is countersigned by at least one member of the Movement. The B. decides on the acceptance of the application.

 

2. Probationary Period – Probationary Members

 

1. a) The registrant is first classified as a probationary member of the Movement. After the probationary period has expired, the duration of which is determined by the bodies of the Local Movement, if any, or the B.. In any case, this decision is ratified by the P.B. within three months at most.

 

1. b) During the probationary period, the Presidency or the competent Regional Body, if any, ensures that the probationary member is adequately informed.

 

1. c) Regular members who do not fulfill their obligations are transferred to probationary status by a reasoned decision of the Presidency or the competent Regional Body, ratified by the Political Bureau.

 

3. Rights of members

 

A member of the Movement is entitled to:

 

1. a) When regular, to be elected as a member of the central and regional bodies of the Movement.

 

1. b) To be supported as a candidate for public elective positions, in accordance with the procedures provided for in the Statutes.

 

1. c) To resort to the Central and Regional Bodies of the Movement to develop opinions or any complaints.

 

1. d) To seek the protection of the Movement based on the principle of Christian solidarity in every possible and just case.

 

1. e) To express his personal opinion on individual issues, when he disagrees with the opinion of the majority.

 

1. f) The Movement is in solidarity with its members and ready for any moral or material assistance to them and their families, when necessary.

 

 

4. Duties of members

 

The member (regular or probationary):

 

1. a) He is obliged to observe the provisions of the Statutes and to respect the decisions of the administrative bodies of the Movement.

 

1. b) He must contribute by his example and behavior inside and outside the Movement, to the attraction of new members, to fight for the spread and practical application of the principles of the D.M., to endure the necessary sacrifices for this purpose and to behave towards the other members of the Movement as his brothers.

 

1. c) He ensures that he places at the disposal of the Movement, without exchange, his assets (amount of money, working hours, places for gatherings, offices, cars, etc.).

 

1. d) He cannot be a member of an anti-Christian organization, especially a fascist or Masonic one.

 

1. e) He contributes to the Movement a regular monthly contribution proportional to his financial capacity.

 

Article 13: Deletion of members

 

1. A regular or probationary member is deleted when:

 

1. a) Requested by him or her self in writing,

 

1. b) Violates the duties as provided for by the Statute and the internal Regulations of the Movement.

 

Before being deleted, the member is called to an apology by the Local Movement to which he belongs, if any, or by the P.B., which decide on the matter. The deleted member may appeal against the decision to the C.C., which shall make a final decision at its session immediately following the submission of the application.

 

2. A deleted member has the right to request registration as a probationary member.

 

CHAPTER 4: YOUTH

 

Article 14: Organization of the E.X.O.N. (pronounced E-CH-O-N)

 

Members of the Movement aged 18 to 30 may form an autonomous Network (Hellenic Christian Socialist Youth Organization – E.X.O.N.), which constitutes the Youth organization of the Movement and may be organized at a regional level, with analogous application of the relevant provisions of the Statute.

 

 

Article 15: The Conference of E.X.O.N. (SYN.EXON)

 

1. The Conference of E.X.O.N. (SYN.EXON) is composed of all paid-up members of the Youth and is convened regularly every year by the C.S. of E.X.O.N. It is convened extraordinary at the request of the C.S. of the ΕΧΟΝ and 1/3 of the members of the ΕΧΟΝ.

 

2. The Conference constitutes its supreme body. It studies and decides on Youth issues, makes relevant recommendations to the Panhellenic Congress and promotes the principles and positions of the Movement in the field of Youth. Its decisions must be within the framework outlined by the Congress of the Movement and are binding on the ΕΧΟΝ’s C.S.

 

3. The ΕΧΟΝ Conference votes on the internal Regulation of the organization’s operation within the framework of this Statute.

 

4. The ΕΧΟΝ Conference elects the members of the Central Council, which is the supreme executive body of the Youth.

 

CHAPTER 5: RESOURCES

 

Article 16

 

The Movement’s resources are:

 

1. The regular and extraordinary contributions of the members and their registration rights.

 

2. Donations. Bequests, etc.

 

3. Income from autonomous business activities (publications of books, newspapers, operation of bookstores, etc.), which are undertaken following a decision of the Central Committee with the aim of financially supporting the Movement.

 

4. Any other income approved by the Central Committee.

 

CHAPTER 6: FINAL PROVISIONS

 

Article 17

 

1. The Christian Democracy Movement has as its emblem aν ear of wheat between the words “Christian Democracy” the first above and the other below.

 

2. The Movement is dissolved by a decision of a Panhellenic Congress, which is convened extraordinary, especially for this purpose. The decision must be taken by a majority of 5/6 of those present. The same decision determines the fate of the property of the Movement.

 

3. This Statute has been approved by the First Congress of the Christian Democracy. (December 1979) and amended by the 2nd Congress (March 1984), the extraordinary Congress of 1985 (March), the 3rd Congress (April 1991), the 6th Congress (June 2007), the 7th Congress (November 2011) and the 8th Congress (November 2015).

 

4. The Statute may be revised by another Congress and interpreted by the Central Committee, where gaps and doubts arise.

 

5. Issues not provided for by the Statute are regulated by the internal regulations of the bodies of the Movement.

 

6. Decisions in the Bodies of the Movement, when there is no specific provision in the Statute or the Internal Regulations, are taken by an absolute majority of those present, which must not be less than 1/3 of the members.