Greek police union demands nine-month parental leave for fathers

A police union in Achaia, Greece, is demanding the immediate recognition of the right for male police officers to access nine-month parental leave. In a letter addressed to the Minister of Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis, the union is calling for the revocation of previous rejection orders and the re-examination of pending or denied requests.

The union cites a recent decision (No. 659/2026) from the Administrative Court of Athens, which interpreted relevant provisions through the lens of the Constitution to support the legality of such leave. They argue that the current practice of denying these requests places unnecessary financial and psychological burdens on new parents and forces them into lengthy legal battles.

The dispute centers on the distinction between special maternity protection leave and the nine-month parental leave intended to facilitate childcare. The union contends that the rights of fathers should be treated independently and not be excluded due to the existence of separate maternity-related leaves. They emphasize that this stance aligns with constitutional mandates regarding equality before the law and the state's protection of the family and childhood.