Greeks abroad vote in country’s parliamentary elections for first time

By Magda Panoutsopoulou

ATHENS (AA) - For the first time in Greek history, nationals living abroad will be able to exercise their right to vote Saturday in parliamentary elections from their country of residence, according to the Interior Ministry.

A total of 22,825 Greeks living abroad are registered to vote one day before the official parliamentary elections.

In 2019, a law enabled Greeks living abroad to vote after providing proof of having lived in Greece for at least two of the last 35 years and they had to submit a tax statement this year or the previous tax year.

According to official data from the Interior Ministry, 99 polling stations have been set up in 85 cities and 35 countries, in Greek embassies, consulates and Greek Orthodox churches.

The ministry said for a polling station to be set up, at least 40 voters must register to vote locally, if not, voters must travel to the nearest city or country with a polling station.

The UK held the largest number of voters with almost 5,000 registered expats. Polling stations were set up in London, Glasgow, Birmingham, Leeds and Edinburgh, followed by Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, Belgium and Cyprus and Türkiye.

In Türkiye, 85 Greeks are registered to vote.

When voting ends, a committee will count only the envelopes without opening them. The enveloped will then be transported to Athens within two days, where they will be opened and counted once voting has ended in Greece.