The procedure for exercising the right to vote in the European elections of June 9 through postal vote he explained to SKAI and on the show “Kalimera” with Dimitris Oikonomou the Minister of the Interior Niki Kerameos.

As Ms. Kerameos explained, “so far, 202,000 voters have requested to vote by mail. 9/10 postal vote envelopes have already been received, over 180,000 have received the material. More than 12,000 votes have already reached the polls, the return has begun.”

“These 202,000 voters are registered from 128 different countries. The most touching thing is that the file goes and finds the Greeks in every corner of the planet. In 90 of the 128 countries, no polling station functioned in the last national elections because there were not the required number of voters. So, these compatriots of ours would have no other way to vote if there was no postal vote,” he added.

For the possible extension of postal voting in national elections as well, Ms. Kerameos argued that “our priority after the European elections is to bring up for discussion in the Parliament the extension of postal voting to the national elections as well. We want 200 votes.”

“The letter removes all the practical obstacles that existed in the exercise of the right to vote. This is not a panacea for abstinence. Abstinence has complex causes. Part of the abstinence may also be the practical obstacles. Every Greek citizen, whom we facilitate in exercising the right to vote, is a gain for the Republic”, said the Minister of the Interior.

Regarding the criticism received by the parliamentary representative of PASOK – KINAL Michalis Katrinis, who ascribes responsibility to her for the Asimakopoulou case and calls for her resignation, Ms. Kerameos said: “We have not received any decision yet from the Personal Data Protection Authority. There was an announcement that this issue is under conference. When there is a decision we will study it very carefully and discuss it.”

“There has never been any break-in at the Ministry of the Interior,” the Minister of the Interior pointed out, stressing: “The fight for the permanent protection of personal data is permanent, big and daily. As technology evolves, we have a duty to take ever more measures,” he added.

Ms Kerameos argued that “we are fully prepared for the European elections”, and spoke of a “ballot of national importance”. “What message will be sent to the ballot box has to do with what power the government will be able to implement all the reforms. It has to do with the power that the government will have to continue this project,” he said.

For productivity bonuses for civil servants, the Minister of the Interior argued that “those who have contributed to the achievement of the objectives of service factors, will be able to have a bonus, which cannot exceed 15% of the basic salary. We introduce healthy incentives in the public sector. We reward deserving civil servants, who overdo themselves,” noting that “safeguards have been put in so that not everyone can receive it,” with a maximum number of eligible employees, a minimum bonus amount and checks.