Greece is having crucial national elections today, the results of which some say might shock the European Union’s economy, once again.
In Greece, where democracy was established two and a half millennia ago, the right to vote has been both a privilege and an obligation, reserved for the Greek citizens aged 18 and above.
As a Greek expatriate, however, I cannot vote remotely, as the state’s bureaucracy and inability – or unwillingness – to adapt its voting system, is prohibiting me from casting my ballot.
ICannotVote.org was formed in 2012, as a protest web site to seek a change in the way that the Greek state treats its citizens that live abroad.
Because I cannot vote, I’m making my statement about the 2015 Elections in Greece using the image below, that incorporates a “moutza” – the gesture used in Greece for “go to hell.”
Greek politicians must proceed to resolve this injustice and display of inequality towards Greek expatriates, that want to vote but cannot do so in person.
That’s scandalous, usually you can vote in local consulates or by correspondence …
Andrea – Maybe in Italy.
I’m not surprised though, since in these elections the Greek government has violated the right of at least 100,000 citizen aged 18 to vote … the (banksters backed) conservative government is scared by the fact that the majority of young people are gonna vote for a change … http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/01/23/greeces-hope-and-change-moment-syriza-tsipras-austerity/
And Italy is not in a better shape …
Andrea – Bureaucracy and politics go hand in hand. Greek election law requires those with a right to vote to turn 18 during the year the elections take place. However, the cutoff date to register was 10/31/2014 and the elections were only announced a month ago, as they were procedural in nature (the previous parliament failed to elect the president of the republic and thus dissolved, leading to expedited elections.) Alexis Tsipras is a demagogue, however and will lead Greece and potentially Europe to new financial ‘adventures’. We shall see.
Corruption, conflicts of interest are widespread in politics, both in Italy, Greece, US, etc …
EU is controlled by a bunch of bureaucrats who make the interests of the establishment, a caste of powerful people who has created a system to self-perpetuate, defend their own interests and those of their “friends”, increasing social and wealth inequalities, controlling citizens, etc …
this is not the community model people want for Europe …
It’s time to change a system which is rotten to the bones.
But this is a long story … too long to be discussed here 🙂
Acro, do you contribute any income tax to the economy of Greece? If so, then I believe you should definitely have the opportunity to vote in Greek elections.
Why should you vote and guide the direction of a nation you do not reside in?
The results of the election won’t impact your life in the same way they will nationals in Greece, if Greece is that important to you – live there.
Bill – Last time I checked I still have my Greek citizenship, passport, and pay special taxes on property. More than 200,000 Greek expatriates – those that were born in Greece and live or work abroad – are affected as well. This is not about Greeks born outside of Greece, although I’d support their right to vote, if they wanted to.
Fizz – Unfortunately, there is no provision to receive my part of the ‘deal’; meanwhile property in Greece is taxed like clockwork every year.