Bill to ease voting restrictions for diaspora gains traction in Greece’s Parliament

·

The bill aimed at easing voting restrictions for Greeks abroad appears to be gaining traction after a debate that started in a parliamentary committee on Thursday.

The debate to remove restrictions and grant voting rights to all registered Greek expatriates from their country of residence began on Thursday in Greece’s Parliament, after it was posted for public consultation last week.

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).

Greeks-voting-abroad
Photo: Athens Insider.

According to Ekathimerini and based on the initial positions of the parties on Thursday, a majority of 220 MPs appear to be agreeing with the legislation.

The ruling New Democracy party, socialist PASOK, the far-right Spartans, nationalist Niki and populist-left Plefsi Eleftherias appear to be giving the green light to the bill, whilst SYRIZA, the Communist Party (KKE) and hard-right/populist Hellenic Solution will not support it.

Greece’s Interior Minister Niki Kerameos said: “Today is a historic day as it seems that the required consensus is being formed.”

The new bill is expected to be voted on in the plenary next week.

Source: Ekathimerini

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Australian man arrested in Greece over fatal Melbourne drive-by shooting

An Australian man wanted over a deadly 2023 drive-by shooting in Melbourne has been arrested in Greece, marking the sixth arrest.

‘Bad habits’ turned good: Greece’s massive Op Shop and its charismatic founder

'Paliosinitheies' (Bad Habits in English) is Greece's largest ‘Opportunity’ or ‘Op Shop’ - as we Aussies call it.

Father Dimitri Tsakas’ bold take on papal diplomacy in ‘Between Altars and Alliances’

Father Dimitri Tsakas, a Greek Orthodox priest, offers a rich, expansive, and intellectually sophisticated exploration of Pope Francis' diplomatic legacy.

Artificial Intelligence boosts wildfire detection in Cyprus

As Cyprus faces another intense summer with growing wildfire risks, the Municipality of Paralimni-Deryneia is adopting AI.

I understand Greek but struggle to speak it – how can I overcome that barrier

Understanding but not speaking is a common experience of heritage language or background language communities. 

You May Also Like

Insight or Perspective: What is the problem with Greek language learning in Australia?

What is the problem with Greek language learning and how can this problem be solved? Christine Gazepis Stravropoulos shares her views.

Miracles in the ancient Asclepeion

The Asclepieia were the first hospitals, or rather complexes of health buildings, not only in Greece but also in the whole of western civilisation.

Giannis Antetokounmpo returns to his roots to play basketball with Greek youths

Greek-Nigerian basketball star Giannis Antetokounmpo has returned to his roots in Athens, Greece to play basketball with Greek youths.