On Wednesday, January 24, a legislation passed in Greece to establish a postal vote for the upcoming European elections.
It was reported that 158 members of parliament voted in favour, all belonging to the ruling New Democracy party.
Σήμερα κάνουμε ένα ιστορικό βήμα για την καθιέρωση της επιστολικής ψήφου στις Ευρωεκλογές. Μία σημαντική μεταρρύθμιση που διευκολύνει πρωτίστως τους εκτός επικρατείας Έλληνες να συμμετέχουν στις Ευρωεκλογές, χωρίς μετακινήσεις, χωρίς έξοδα, απ’ όπου και αν κατοικούν. pic.twitter.com/Zjh3O16YGJ
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) January 24, 2024
Greece’s Interior Minister, Niki Kerameus announced “For the first time in the history of the Greek state, postal voting is introduced”.
The provision was expected to pass by extended majority, however an amendment introduced by the Interior Ministry, extending the postal vote to Greek’s abroad in the national elections, triggered the outrage of opposition parties.
The amendment allowing Greeks living abroad to vote in Greece’s national elections was rejected because it did not collect the required majority vote of 200. A total of 158 deputies voted for it, 135 rejected it, and 6 deputies voted ‘present’.
Greece’s Interioir Minister, Ms Kerameus vowed to reintroduce the amendment on the postal voting bill to include national elections once 200 votes were secured.
Source: amna.gr
