“With unity, with democratic participation, with the respect of Greeks abroad, we grow Greece and make it stronger” emphasized in his speech in the Parliament – on the draft law for the lifting of restrictions on the right to vote of Greeks living abroad – the rapporteur of the majority, former minister and member of the ND, Takis Theodorikakos.

“The choice of the Prime Minister and the Government to start the legislative work of the new four-year period with the bill that removes all obstacles and conditions for the vote of Greeks abroad is a strong national, patriotic, democratic symbolism,” he said and added: “There is no better way to reflect on the anniversary of the restoration of the Republic, than the passing of this bill on July 24.”

“Finally, Greeks who live abroad – study or work – even those who are simply traveling and the electoral process finds them outside their homeland, will be able to vote. Without any other conditions, except to make the application to be registered in the special electoral rolls” he noted, and referred to the first step taken in 2019 and the effort that was not completed in 2021.

In this context, Mr. Theodorikakos called on the parties of the Left to reconsider their attitude: “The phobic attitude of SYRIZA and the very heavy ideological view of the KKE is really incomprehensible. Colleagues, I invite you to think about it. No representative of our people should be absent from this invitation to responsibility.”

The entire speech of Mr. Theodorikakos

“Mister President
Ladies and gentlemen colleagues

First of all, allow me to express our solidarity with all the people who have been affected by the devastating fires in recent days and our gratitude to the staff of the Fire Service, to the volunteers, to all the people who gave their best to deal with the fires.

Regarding the agenda item…

The choice of the Prime Minister and the Government to start the legislative work of the new four-year period with the bill that removes all the obstacles and conditions for the vote of Greeks abroad is a strong national, patriotic, democratic symbol and it is a special honor for me to be a rapporteur on this particular bill.

There is no better way to reflect on the anniversary of the restoration of the Republic than by passing this bill on July 24th.

The Government and the Ministry of the Interior are responding to a decades-long demand of Greeks in the diaspora, Greek immigrants, to be able to vote from the countries in which they live, work or study. No restrictions, no prerequisites.

Just as if they were in the Homeland. And, at the same time, we respond to the national need to strengthen global Hellenism, in an era of opportunities, challenges and dangers, when Greece needs more than ever the Greeks of the diaspora and the unity of universal Hellenism.

Finally, Greeks living abroad – studying or working – even those who are simply traveling and the electoral process finds them outside their homeland, will be able to vote. Without any other conditions, except to apply to be registered in the special electoral rolls.

So simple!

This is a systematic effort, which started in 2019, when – after exhaustive negotiations in the inter-party committee – we succeeded for the first time in making it easier for a significant number of Greeks to vote from abroad.

It was an important first step. Which, however, were accompanied by conditions, which in fact constituted an obstacle as they excluded a number of citizens and made participation difficult.

However, it was necessary to do it as you all know that the Constitution requires 200 votes and the conditions were set by the left opposition parties.

Also, in 2021 – seeing the injustice against Greeks abroad – we again took the initiative and sought the lifting of the restrictions. Unfortunately, then, the necessary majority was not gathered.

In the recent elections alone, 18 thousand Greeks exercised their right to vote from their countries of residence. Of the hundreds of thousands who were entitled to it. However, for the first time on election night all of Greece saw results from every corner of the Earth. These cards touched us all even more.

Today we put into practice the elimination of all discrimination against Greeks abroad with patriotic, national and democratic responsibility. And this is due to all the parties and all the MPs who will vote for the legislative initiative of the Ministry of the Interior and our Government.

And, because I want to be completely fair, I want to remind that in this effort in the previous two corresponding processes of ’19 and ’21, which were carried out at the initiative of the ND, it was the ND and PASOK that consistently responded to this universal demand of global Hellenism. And today, after the relevant discussion in the Committee, with the upvoting of “Freedom Sailing”, “Spartiates” and “Niki” we reach at least 220 votes and therefore the constitutional limit of 200 deputies is covered.

A word of caution here: we are not talking about granting voting rights. We’re talking about convenience. We are talking about Greeks with the right to vote, who if they took the plane to their place of origin would vote normally. We make it easier for them and enable them to keep their ties with the Motherland strong. Because they are the best representatives of Hellenism in the countries where they live. Many of them are pioneers, they make us all proud.

It makes no sense for anyone to fear their vote. It makes no sense to separate the Greeks. Especially in our time, when distances in information have been abolished. From wherever he is, a citizen can learn and know extremely well what is happening in his birthplace.

It is truly incomprehensible the phobic attitude of SYRIZA and the very heavy ideological view of the KKE. Colleagues, I invite you to think about it. No representative of our people should be absent from this invitation to responsibility.

All parties come from the Greek people and are accountable to the Greeks, whom we have to serve. And making it easier for citizens to vote in elections is the minimum. Think again, let’s not miss this historical call of Hellenism. Think again even now.

On the occasion of today’s success for the country, I want to express the opinion that it is a work of hope that there are other issues in which to achieve, through discussions, substantial convergences and consents on national goals, for changes and reforms that will make the Motherland stronger and the prospects of Hellenism even better.

After all, the unity of the Greeks is one of the unconditional conditions for our future in the decades to come. United Greeks can do more, united we can confidently and boldly move forward. To face the risks and take advantage of the opportunities of each era.

This concept – the worldview of understanding, cooperation and the unity of forces for the progress and future of Hellenism, for the safety and well-being of Greeks and our Motherland – is reflected in the Government’s legislative initiative and its vote by a majority of more than 200 MPs.

We say a loud “yes” to the vote of Greeks Abroad, because together we can do more.

And now we have before us a great challenge: let us all together do everything in our power to inform all Greeks abroad that it is now possible, with a simple application, to vote from the place where they are, to drastically increase the number of Greeks abroad who vote for our Homeland and to make hundreds of thousands of Greeks who will make use of this right.

It is a powerful way of reconnecting, strengthening ties with the Greek expatriates, who have been paving the way for decades in their second homelands, becoming the best ambassadors of Hellenism.

With unity, with democratic participation, with respect for Greeks abroad, we grow Greece and make it stronger.

Thank you”