Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis addressed Parliament on Monday and said the proposed bill to lift restrictions for Greeks abroad to vote in national elections, is an “issue that should unite us.”
Speaking during a debate in Parliament on the proposed voting bill, Mitsotakis said the new bill will bridge Greece’s “relationship with the Greek diaspora in every corner of the globe.”
“We have the opportunity to promote a bold measure without party colours and a national stamp. A victory of parliament, a victory of democracy,” Mitsotakis said.
In his address, the Prime Minister called on Parliament to “approve the lifting of all obstacles to voting by registered voters abroad from their place of residence.”
Ψηφίζοντας την άρση των εμποδίων, ώστε οι Έλληνες του εξωτερικού να ψηφίζουν από το τόπο κατοικίας τους, γεφυρώνουμε τη σχέση μας με την ελληνική διασπορά σε κάθε γωνιά της υφηλίου. Ενώνουμε τις παρούσες, τις μελλοντικές γενιές με τη γλώσσα, με την ιστορία, με τις παραδόσεις μας. pic.twitter.com/ByPSnDeHeF
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) July 24, 2023
Mitsotakis said the restriction on Greek residents abroad to vote from their place of residence is an area where Greece falls behind compared to other “advanced countries.”
The time to “make the great leap forward” is now, Mitsotakis said.
To apply the legislation at the next election, over 200-MP votes in favour of the bill are required (two thirds of the total MPs in Parliament).
Some of the restrictions the bill abolishes include the length of stay in Greece (2 years during the last 35 years) before voting, and to have filed taxes during the current year or the previous one from the year of elections.
Source: amna.gr
