Opposition rejects last-minute addition to postal voting that ‘undermines consensus’

A last-minute amendment tabled by the Conservative government to extend postal voting rights to expatriates in national elections was rejected by the entire opposition.

The bill on mail-in voting had initially secured the support "in principle" from three opposition parties: SYRIZA, PASOK and Plefsi Eleftherias, following extensive consultation with the government. Although there were significant objections to individual arrangements and articles, the bill was set to be approved by 230 of the lawmakers.

However, the consensus collapsed after Interior Minister Niki Kerameus surprised lawmakers by tabling a last-minute amendment on Monday afternoon which extended the postal vote of expatriates to national elections. In the previous days, Kerameus had stated that "the framework of the [new] legislation concerns the European elections."

"National elections have a...