As Greece prepares to go to the polls, Greeks of the diaspora will get their first chance to vote from their place of residence. But it’ll take more than just Greek Citizenship to be allowed to exercise that right.
Speaking to the Ouzo Talk Podcast, Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Yiannis Mallikourtis, explained that only a small portion of Greeks living abroad will be eligible to vote, owing to a number of pre-conditions set out as part of the recent change.
“In December 2019, a law was passed for the first time, for Greeks abroad to be able to exercise their right to vote,” explains the Consul General.
“There are two criteria; one is to have submitted a tax declaration in the past two years, and the second criterion is to have lived in Greece for at least two years in the last 35 years.”
In a wide-ranging Ouzo Talk discussion, Mallikourtis – while admitting that the legislation may be limiting - is an important, and positive first step to engaging the diaspora.
“We should see the glass half full rather than half empty,” stressed the Consul General.
“It is a first step, and it is an important development. I would encourage those who are eligible to vote – and there are a few, especially Greek migrants who arrived here in the last decade or so – to register and do it through the Consulate.
“You can do it online but if you have difficulties you can come to the Consulate for help as well – it’s not very difficult as a process.”
Mallikourtis, now in his fourth month in the role of Consul General in Sydney, believes that the diaspora vote can provide important perspective to the happenings and direction of Greek politics.
“I think they would give a fresh perspective,” admits Mallikourtis.
“It would definitely help to get them involved in the political process. And that’s the rationale behind the December 2019 legislation – to get them involved in the politics of their country of origin.”
The Consul General in Sydney is the official representative of the government of their home country to the government and people of Australia, with specific responsibilities for the state of New South Wales, of which Sydney is the capital city. The Consul General is responsible for maintaining and developing diplomatic relations between the two countries, promoting trade and tourism, and providing assistance to citizens of the home country living in the consular district. The Consul General also provides consular services such as issuing passports and visas and helping citizens in distress.
Photos copyright Nick Bourdaniotis / Greek City Times
