The government is dynamically bringing back to the table the issue of mail-in voting that for years moved between announcements, political balances and institutional reservations. Mail-in voting for voters outside Greece is now at the center of political discussion, this time with a clear goal of implementing it innational elections.
In the first cabinet meeting of the new year, Interior Minister Theodoros Livanios presented the legislative initiative concerning both the possibility of mail-in voting for Greeks living permanently or temporarily abroad and the creation of a three-member electoral constituency for the Greek Diaspora. This is a change that, according to the government narrative, comes to complement the reforms of recent years in electoral law.
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Mail-in voting for voters outside Greece
Mail-in voting had already been implemented in European elections, with the government speaking of a successful precedent. Now the next step concerns parliamentary elections, giving voters the ability to vote from their place of residence, without travel, without polling stations and without geographical restrictions.
It is recalled that in the 2023 national elections about 18,000 voters cast ballots abroad, in physical polling stations that had been set up around the world, based on the then-existing institutional framework. These restrictions have already been lifted since 2023, opening the way for broader participation.
Mail-in voting: Three-member electoral constituency for Greek Diaspora
At the same time, the proposal for a three-member electoral constituency for the Greek Diaspora acquires particular political weight. For the first time, Greeks abroad will be able to directly elect their own representatives in the Greek parliament, without being incorporated into general lists.
The Interior Minister has already extended an invitation to all parties represented in Parliament to participate in an informal inter-party committee. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 29 at 11:00 at the Ministry of Interior, aiming to seek the enhanced majority required for voting on the regulation.
According to Mr. Livanios, this reform strengthens democracy and reinforces the ties of the Greek Diaspora with the homeland, while simultaneously opening a political dialogue of particular significance in view of upcoming electoral contests.
