A bill that will make it easier for Greeks abroad to vote in national elections is expected to secure a wide majority in a debate that started in a parliamentary committee on Thursday.
The current legislation is loaded with barriers to Greeks residing abroad. In the recent Greek elections, in huge Greek diaspora jurisdictions like Melbourne, less than 250 Greek citizens voted. One of the sticking points was the requirement that Greek citizens living abroad had to live in Greece a minimum of two years over the last 30.
Based on the initial positions of the parties, a majority of 220 members of the Greek parliament appear to agree with the new bill, presented by the ruling New Democracy party. The socialist PASOK, the far-right Spartans, the nationalist Niki and populist-left Plefsi Eleftherias have for now given it the green light.
With these endorsements the bill makes it with just over the 200 votes needed -two thirds of the total – in order to formally enact the legislation during the next general election.
In contrast, the main opposition party SYRIZA, and the Communist Party (KKE) along with hard-right Hellenic Solution oppose it.
“Today is a historic day as it seems that the required consensus is being formed,” Interior Minister Niki Kerameos said after the speeches of the party legislative rapporteurs.
The aim is to vote on the bill in the plenary by the end of next week.
