A year has passed since Greek Parliamentarians debated on the bill on the voting rights of Greeks abroad from their place of residence. The bill was finally passed with 288 votes in favour from the 296 lawmakers present.

Greece’s Interior Minister Takis Theodorikakos said that the campaign to guide Greeks through the process will take place with “absolute transparency, full disclosure and participation of the interparty committee”.

He made this statement in response to a placement of main opposition Radical Left Coalition SYRIZA deputies in Greek Parliament regarding the government spokesman’s communication to Greeks abroad.

Mr Theodorikakos said that the new law, reached following “dialogue and convergence” made it easier for Greeks abroad to “vote from their place of residence”. He said that the law put an end to a constitutional issue which had been outstanding for 50 years.

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“It is the duty of the state – as seen in the same law, article 21 – to inform Greeks who have (voting) rights in all countries of the world regarding the implementation of these rights,” Mr Theodorikakos said.

“It is a political, democratic, institutional, moral and patriotic obligation of the Ministry of the Interior to present a campaign as soon as the conditions allow for it. This process will take place at all stages, with absolute transparency, with full information and collaboration of the interparty committee, aimed at achieving the best possible result and it would have already begun had the COVID-19 pandemic not arrived in Greece and the whole world.

“Hence, whoever makes irresponsible statements should re-examine their position. We can proceed in this campaign united, sending a message of national cohesion to Greeks around the world as well as the effective operation of democratic institutions.”

READ MORE: 288 Greek lawmakers said ‘yes’ to voting rights for Greeks abroad

Questions which have arisen are as follows:

  • Why aren’t experienced personnel hired by embassies abroad to inform the Greek diaspora of their voting rights?
  • Why aren’t Greeks abroad submitting proposals to contribute to the best way to be informed?
  • Why is the Greek Radio and Television network not being used, especially the special network which has for decades been created for Greeks abroad?
  • In which way are the media being used to shoulder the weight of informing Greeks abroad of their voting rights?