Citizens of European Union

CITIZENS OF EUROPEAN UNION

POLITICAL RIGHTS

In its efforts to strengthen activities related to European citizenship, the constant pursuit of the Ministry of Interior is free, equal and active participation of citizens of other EU Member States in the decision making process, both in local societies and in the democratic life of the European Union. Our basic orientation in this direction is the widest possible dissemination of information to EU citizens residing in Greece, in order to enhance their participation and presence in the field of representative democracy.

The Ministry of Interior fully adopting the principle of equality and the aims of the European Union to strengthen the protection of the rights and interests of EU citizens, invites all citizens of other EU member states residing in Greece, to exercise their right to vote and to stand as a candidate in the forthcoming municipal elections and elections to the European Parliament of 2014.

The legal basis for exercising these fundamental rights is Council Directive 94/80/EC “Laying down detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in municipal elections by citizens of the Union residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals” and Directive 93/109/EC “Laying down detailed arrangements for the exercise of the right to vote and stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament for citizens of the Union residing in a Member State of which they are not nationals”, which were incorporated into Greek law by P.D.133/1997 as amended and is in force and Law 2196/1994 respectively.

Citizens of the Union shall not exercise the right to vote and to stand as a candidate in regional elections, but only in municipal elections and elections to the European Parliament, as defined in the above directives.

For additional information, interested EU citizens can consult the sections “Municipal and Regional Elections” and “Elections to the European Parliament” of this website. They can also contact the municipality where they reside, the One Stop Shops (KEP) and the Directorate of Elections of the Ministry of Interior (tel.: 213 1361252, 213 1361135 and 213 1361128 /e-mail: e.atmatzidou @ ypes.gr , p.ponirou @ ypes.gr and th.garoufalis @ ypes.gr).

ELECTIONS TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Who are eligible to vote?

EU citizens of other Member States are entitled to vote provided:

They reside in Greece and will reach the age of 18 years in the election year (until December 31 of that year). In the 2014 elections to the European Parliament, those born on or before 31.12.1996 are eligible to vote
They have not been deprived of the right to vote both in Greece and in the Member State of Origin
They have been registered on the special electoral rolls of the municipality of their residence by February 28, 2014

To register on special electoral rolls, EU citizens must present themselves to the municipal authority of their place of residence, have a valid identity document (passport or ID card) and fill out a relevant formal declaration form. No additional documents are required.

EU citizens wishing to vote for political parties and candidates from their home Member State may contact the Embassy or Consulate of the home Member State in Greece.

Who are eligible to stand as a candidate?

Citizens of other EU Member States have the right to stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament in Greeceprovided:

they reside in Greece
they have passed the age of 25 years on the election day
they have not been deprived of the right to stand as a candidate in their home

Member State and of the right to vote in Greece

In order to stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament, candidates should provide the following identification and supporting documents also required by Greek nationals, in accordance with Law 1180/1981, article 3, and paragraph 3:

Name, surname, father’s name, title and address
Written acceptance of candidature

A formal declaration

The candidates should state that:

They are registered on the special electoral rolls of the municipality (stating the name of the municipality) where they reside
They have not been deprived of the right to vote in Greece
Any impediment to eligibility as referred to in Law 1180/1981, article 2 do not apply
If serving in the public sector, they are not obliged to remain in service for a specified period of time

2. A formal declaration

The candidates should state and indicate:

Their nationality, date and place of birth, last address in the home Member State and their address in Greece
That they have not been deprived of the right to stand as a candidate in their home Member State through an individual judicial decision or an administrative decision provided that the latter can be subject to judicial remedies.
The electoral roll of the municipality or the community or the region or the electoral district in their home Member State on which their names were last entered
That they are not standing as a candidate for elections to the European Parliament in any other Member State, or in Greece for any other political party or coalition
The date from which they have been nationals of a Member State

A Photocopy of a valid identity document (passport or identity card)

The Ministry of Interior in order to check whether the EU citizens who will exercise the right to stand as a candidate in Greece, have not been deprived of that right in the home Member State, will notify the competent authorities of the home Member State of the above declaration, in accordance with provisions of article 6 of Directive 93/109/EC as amended by provisions of article 1, paragraph 1 of Directive 2013/1/EU. If the information provided by the home member state invalidates the content of the declaration, the Ministry of Interior and the competent judicial authorities will take the appropriate steps to prevent the person concerned from standing as a candidate or to prevent this person either from being elected or from exercising the mandate.

For further information, interested EU citizens may contact:

the municipal authority in their place of residence
The Directorate of Elections / Ministry of Interior (Phones: 213 1361252, 213,1361135, 2131361128 and 2131361132 and e-mail addresses: e.atmatzidou@ypes.gr, p.ponirou@ypes,gr and th.garoufalis@ypes.gr )
The One Stop Shops (KEP) The Embassy or the Consulate of their home Country Member in Greece.

MINISTRY OF INTERIOR

Citizens of European Union

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