By Yannis Anifantis

For a “historical moment, 50 years after the restoration of modern democracy” said the Minister of the Interior, Niki Kerameos, in her introductory statement during the meeting of the Public Administration committee where the draft law for the establishment of the postal vote in the European elections and referendums.

Niki Kerameos emphasized that it is about a “democracy deepening” measure; arguing that it is not “right or left”, but “a measure that meets the demands of the time”. The Minister of the Interior spoke of a “substantial move to strengthen participation in the electoral process”, stating that the bill facilitates the exercise of the right to vote but does not grant voting rights, as it will facilitate citizens with mobility difficulties, the elderly, students, 3rd High School students and workers on Sunday.

She defended the credibility of the measure, stating that the application will be made based on taxis codes, adding that the citizen will be able to follow the course of the file, which will have characteristics of authenticity and will be sent by registered mail, stressing that “all precautions have been taken for a safe procedure”.

However, objections to the government’s draft law are expressed by the opposition, with SYRIZA characterizing the regulation as outdated, arguing that it disagrees with the postal vote for all, without criteria, however, agreeing that the electoral process must be adapted to the modern conditions of social mobility.

Positive in principle, but expressing objections to the universality of the postal vote measure, is PASOK, with the KKE stating that rejects “conceived as a reactionary and dangerous intersection”, the government’s legislative initiative. The rest of the opposition parties also express reservations, while Freedom Sailing characterizes the initiative as positive in principle.