The Greek government plans to create a new electoral district allowing Greeks living abroad to directly elect three members of parliament, changing how the diaspora is represented.
Under the proposal, expatriate Greeks would no longer be represented through parties’ nationwide state ballots, with those seats reduced from 15 to 12 to accommodate the three diaspora MPs within the 300-seat parliament.
The reform is part of a broader legislative package that also extends postal voting to national elections, following its use in European Parliament elections.
The bill is expected to be submitted before Easter and would require support from at least 200 lawmakers to apply to the next national election.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the reform, if approved with the required enhanced majority, would apply to the next national elections in 2027.
“This is yet another important link … that unites the motherland with the millions of Greeks abroad,” he said, adding that a common ballot would encourage greater participation by overseas voters and ensure “full equality as stipulated by the constitution.”
The Interior Ministry says the changes aim to strengthen diaspora engagement by creating a single global electoral district, allowing overseas voters to choose both a party and an individual candidate, regardless of where the candidate is based.
Source: Ekathimerini.
