“We are moving forward step by step. When the process for postal voting in the European elections began, there was still no sign that this would be the case. the positive attitude of a large part of the parliamentariansas expressed by their representatives, in favor of the postal vote for voters abroad” replied the Minister of the Interior, Niki Kerameos, to what was earlier supported by the president of the KO of the New Left, Alexis Haritsis.

The minister clarified that when the positive attitude of many parties to the bill was found “we considered it our duty to submit an additional act, separate from the draft law, so that each member of parliament could take a separate position on the draft law and on the amendment”.

Mrs. Kerameos also commented on the statement of the president of the KO of the New Left that “people who do not live in the country will be able to vote” saying that “we are not granting any new right to vote. None. We facilitate the exercise of the right to vote. We are not granting a new right.”

She rejected Mr. Haritsis’ reports of “institutional diversion” asking how “it can be institutional diversion to be able to make it easier for Greek citizens to vote?” To remove practical obstacles to the exercise of the right to vote? Is the postal vote a perversion that goes to ease the negative barriers?’

The minister criticized the attitude of the New Left saying that “you say no” to Greeks abroad but also to Greeks at home who may be elderly, to seasonal workers, to people with disabilities, to students who may be in the middle of an exam period, to students of the 3rd Lyceum” We, added the minister, tell them that as a State we want to strengthen their participation, to remove any practical obstacles that may exist in the exercise of the right to vote”.

Mrs. Kerameos finally stated that “I respect different opinions but I cannot understand why this phobia of yours. Why are we afraid of participation, because we are afraid of making it easier for the Greek citizen wherever and whenever he is to exercise his sacred right, to vote”.

The president of the KO of the New Left, Alexis Haritsis, responded to the minister that “I am very afraid that you are inverting reality. We never said that a new right is given, but that this right is given without any criteria and indeed without the personal presence that ensures an elementary relationship of these people with the electoral process in Greece and this is very important”. Mr. Haritsis stated that “we do not say “no” to the Greeks abroad as we voted and supported them having the right to vote but with the existence of specific criteria that confirm their biotic relationship with the country”. On the contrary, he said “you are saying “no” to the Greeks Abroad who really should have the possibility not only of the right but of being able to participate and intervene”. Regarding the postal vote of Greeks who are prevented from appearing in person at home, Mr. Haritsis said that “we say that there should be exceptions but these exceptions cannot be turned into a general, universal rule as you do”.

The parliamentary representative of PASOK-KINAL Michalis Katrinis, with his emphatic intervention, accused the minister that yesterday she proceeded to announce the political decision to expand the postal vote of residents abroad and in the national elections, after finding that “the required 200 ballots are collected” and added that this “shows your adventure.” Mrs. Kerameos replied that “is it political adventurism for the government that has the legislative initiative to enrich this with dozens of proposals from the opposition parties and institutions?” To calm down and get better? Is this adventurism or adventurism is voting “yes” on the beginning of the bill and an hour later coming and voting for the unconstitutionality of the bill you already voted for?”