Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with Archbishop Makarios of Australia on Friday to discuss ties with the Greek diaspora, the rights of Greek citizens living abroad and the Church’s charitable and social work, with postal voting in the next parliamentary elections among the key issues raised.
Mitsotakis highlighted the new provision allowing Greek citizens living abroad to vote by mail in national elections for the first time, enabling them to cast their ballots from their place of residence rather than travel to designated polling stations.
The prime minister also reaffirmed his government’s support for the charitable and social activities of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, recognizing its contribution to the Greek community abroad.
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The meeting comes after Parliament approved legislation in March 2026 extending postal voting to overseas voters in parliamentary elections. The relevant provisions received the support of at least 200 lawmakers, according to the information provided.
Postal voting had previously been available to Greek voters, both in Greece and abroad, in European Parliament elections and national referendums. The new legislation extends the option to parliamentary elections for eligible voters residing outside the country.
The ministry of interior’s framework is intended to facilitate participation by Greek citizens abroad by removing the need to travel to a polling station, while providing a formal procedure for registering to vote by mail.
The meeting also underscored the continuing role of the Greek Orthodox Church in maintaining ties between Greece and its diaspora, particularly through its social and charitable activities in Australia.