Greece’s Ministry of Interior is preparing legislation that would allow Greeks living abroad to vote exclusively by post in the upcoming national elections and establish a new three-seat parliamentary district representing the diaspora.
According to Protothema.gr, Interior Minister Thodoris Livanios is expected to submit the bill in the first half of 2026. The proposal would abolish overseas polling stations and enable registered expatriate voters to cast their ballots by mail, following the model used in the 2024 European elections.
A central element of the reform is the creation of a dedicated “District Abroad,” from which three MPs would be elected. While diaspora votes would still count towards the national result, the number of State list MPs would be reduced from 15 to 12 to accommodate the change.
The government says the reform addresses logistical barriers that limited overseas participation in the 2023 national elections, when voters were often required to travel long distances. By contrast, the introduction of postal voting in 2024 saw overseas registrations double to more than 50,000, with turnout reaching 73%.
The proposal requires the support of at least 200 MPs under the Constitution. While a similar plan was rejected in 2024, the government believes broader consensus is possible, pointing to opposition support in principle for postal voting.
Officials say the move would formally recognise the Greek diaspora as a distinct political constituency, giving expatriates a clearer parliamentary voice on issues affecting Greeks abroad.
Source: Protothema
