Greek Minister of Interior Theodoros Livánios unveiled a broad package of electoral and administrative reforms during an interview on ERTnews on Friday, 6 March 2026. The proposals touch on voting procedures, public administration efficiency, and local self-government — with key measures including the introduction of postal voting for European elections, tablet-based polling stations for municipal elections, and structural changes to accommodate non-resident voters.
Postal Voting: Limited to European Elections for Now
Livánios confirmed that postal voting will be implemented in the upcoming European Parliament elections, as the regulatory framework is set at the EU level. However, he noted constitutional uncertainties around introducing it for national parliamentary elections. The New Democracy government plans to propose its formal adoption during the next constitutional revision.
Reforming Voting Access for Non-Resident Voters
A major focus was improving participation among non-resident voters — Greeks registered in one municipality but living elsewhere, often for work or study. Currently, forming a dedicated polling station for such voters requires at least 30 eligible voters from the same municipality — a threshold Livánios described as impractical, especially in island regions. To address this, the Ministry of Interior is considering establishing one non-resident polling station per island or large municipality, expanding access for commuters and remote workers.
The minister linked voter abstention to both political disengagement and objective barriers, stressing the government’s aim to remove institutional obstacles so that “anyone who wants to vote can do so.”
Municipal Elections: No Second Round, Tablet-Based Polling
For the next round of municipal elections, Livánios announced the abolition of the second round. Instead, a candidate will be elected outright with 42% of the vote. If no candidate reaches that threshold, second-preference votes — indicated directly on the ballot — will be counted to determine the winner.
Looking ahead to the 2028 municipal elections, the ministry is exploring electronic voting via 400 specially designated polling stations nationwide. In these locations, traditional paper ballots will be replaced by voting booths equipped with tablets — a move intended to modernise the process and improve accessibility.
Tripartite Regions and a New Local Government Code
Livánios also confirmed that the tripartite regional governance model — dividing each region into three administrative sub-units — is scheduled to take effect starting with the 2031 national elections. Additionally, the new Local Government Code aims to clarify the division of responsibilities and financial resources between the central state and local authorities.
Merit-Based Appointments for Senior Civil Servants
Finally, the minister announced that legislation governing the evaluation and appointment of senior civil service managers will enter public consultation in the coming weeks. Selections will be conducted through a written, electronic examination administered by the Supreme Council for Civil Personnel Selection (ASEP), reinforcing merit-based leadership across Greece’s public administration.