The issue on whether or not the diaspora should be entitled to vote in Greek elections, has sparked up another debate – this time on social media. Neos Kosmos’ facebook page was the forum for readers to voice their opinion on whether or not Greeks of the diaspora should be entitled to vote with an overwhelming number saying the vote should stay with Greeks living in Greece.
The debate followed the article “Bakoyannis: Diaspora should vote” which was published online this week in which former Foreign Minister of Greece Dora Bakoyannis, spoke to Neos Kosmos during her private visit in Melbourne. In the article, Ms Bakoyannis declared that the diaspora should be entitled to a vote.
“As a modern European country Greece is obliged to give the voting right to its citizens who live abroad,” Ms Bakoyannis told Neos Kosmos. “The voting right should be given to the Greeks of the Diaspora who retain the Greek citizenship, and they should also have the right to elect their own representatives in the electorate regions where they live.”
Yet judging by feedback on social media, members of the diaspora are jaded by past and present politicians in Greece. The feedback received pointed towards corruption by politicians and a sense of resentment towards Bakoyannis – if Greece was and is in crisis, many wondered how this former politician could afford to travel.
