By Yannis Anifantis

The government’s initiative to extend the right to vote by mail for expatriates in national elections as well, with an amendment tabled yesterday afternoon by Niki Kerameos from the floor of the Parliament, is causing new friction between the majority and the opposition, with the parties reconsidering the position them on the bill of the Ministry of the Interior.

During her intervention from the floor of the Parliament, the Minister of the Interior, Niki Kerameos, stressed that “already 230 MPs have positioned themselves positively for the letter to expatriates in the European elections”, questioning why this measure should not be extended to the national elections as well. “This is a democratic debt and a historic opportunity, and that is why the responsibility that rests on every member of parliament, regardless of party, is great,” he pointed out.

However, a condition for the amendment to become a law of the state is the gathering of 2/3 of the total number of deputies, i.e. at least 200 positive votes are required (according to the Charter of the country and the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament), therefore the consent of parties of opposition is deemed necessary.

The opposition complains of a “trick” of entrapment

The government’s announcement caused confusion and surprise in the opposition seats, with the representatives of the parties accusing the government of adventurous behavior.

The SYRIZA rapporteur spoke about a sloppy and communicative process, Theofilos Xanthopoulosarguing that “with sleight of hand and last-minute amendments, the government is trying to seize the consent not of the opposition but of society, but you will not succeed, you are tragically alone”.

“Now time freezes and we are starting from scratch,” said Mr Michalis Katrinisfrom PASOK, implying that for Harilaou Trikoupi, the positive attitude towards the bill is called into question.

He spoke of “legislative surprise without information”. KKEled by Freedom of Navigation, Zoe Konstantopoulou to characterize the government’s amendment as an inappropriate choice, stressing, however, that there is no question of the unconstitutionality of the postal vote.

Responding to the group fire, Minister of the Interior, Niki Kerameos, he requested that the political staff not wait another 50 years in order to remove all obstacles for the vote of Greeks abroad, stressing that “each and every one of us is being judged! Those who want our fellow citizens to be able to vote and national elections will vote ‘yes’, those who don’t want to will vote ‘no’. If it doesn’t get 200 votes, it won’t pass. The things are simple”.

A clearer picture of the stance that the opposition parties will take towards the amendment is expected today, with the positions of the political leaders.

“No” to objections of unconstitutionality

However, indicative of the confusion that prevails in the opposition parties about the position they will take, is the vote on the objections of unconstitutionality submitted by four of the total eight opposition parties (KKE, HELLENIC SOLUTION, NEW LEFT, NIKI) at the beginning of the meeting .

Although SYRIZA and PASOK state that they will vote positively on the principle of postal voting in the European elections, they argued that the regulations are constitutionally flawed, overriding the objections. In the end, the objections were rejected by the MPs of the majority and the Freedom Movement. The passing of the bill and the amendment is expected to take place on Wednesday by name, following the request of the KKE.