Under the Light of the Imminent Greek Elections

Under the stress of the financial crisis and political turmoil, Greece is ready again for elections. The Greek Municipal and Regional elections of 2014 are going to be held on May 18. The by-elections and the European elections will take place on May 25. The term of the office of the elected members will be from September 1, 2014 until August 31, 2019.

 

According to the underlying electoral process, along with the Greek voters of the Greek territory have the right to vote and the Greek citizens - residents of the 27 other EU countries. These results will be incorporated in the overall vote results in the Greek Territory. The Greek voter will need to present before the Electoral Commission during the vote her identity card or passport or driving license or an individual health card issued by any Greek insurance fund. As polling stations will be used buildings of the Greek embassies and consular buildings, other Greek authorities or departments, independent offices, Orthodox Greek Churches, Greek communities, associations or organizations. If the aforementioned buildings do not suffice to meet the needs of the procedure, it is possible to be used buildings or establishments of the Member State of the EU.
 

Unfortunately, the Greek citizens who do not reside in Greece or in a Member State of the European Union are not able to exercise their right to vote. The ambassadorial and consular authorities of Greece to the other Member States of the European Union have the duty to inform by any means Greeks voters residing in their region for their right to participate in elections to the European Parliament. Moreover, in order to exercise the right to vote in their place of residence, the Greek inhabitants abroad must fulfill the following requirements;

i. They must be registered in the electoral roll of a municipality in the Greek Territory.

ii. They have the right to vote and have not been denied this right.

iii. They must make a declaration to the relevant Ambassador or Consulate in the region of EU in which they intend to exercise their right to vote, that they wish to vote in their place of residence.

Until April 4, the Greek voters who reside in other Member States of the European Union were able to submit applications for the exercise of their right to vote in European elections. Although the first deadline was on March 28, the Ministry of the Interior in Greece decided to extend this. As it was noted in the No. 769/28.3.2014 decision, signed by the Minister of the Interior, Yiannis Michelakis; “the extension was such a relevant interest, which was observed with a view to ensure the widest possible participation of the Greek citizens in the upcoming elections of the members of the European Parliament”.

The controversial legal issue is why the Greek political system doesn’t change by permitting to the Greeks who work or reside in other countries or states other than Members States of the European Union to vote by postal vote, expressing in that way their political beliefs and exercising their rights. The matter has deeper roots, which are related to our hereditary political system and the uncontrolled and independent judgment of Greeks, who work or reside abroad. Maybe, our votes are not so predictable and simply data. Greece has taught the democracy and the freedom. What does the modern Greece do? Does Greece separate its citizens in two categories? Let’s hope that the impending elections will bring the redemption and the prosperity in our country.