New draft bill on electoral system submitted in Parliament

Abolition of 50-seat bonus needs 200 MP votes

The Greek government submitted the new proportional representation draft bill on the electoral system, Tuesday. Among other provisions, the new bill includes the right to vote at 17 and the scrapping of the 50 seat bonus to the first party. The draft bill will be introduced to the competent parliamentary committee next Thursday, where it will follow the regular procedures of deliberations before being submitted to the parliamentary plenary on July 18-22 for discussion. So far the bill is backed by the government coalition of SYRIZA and ANEL, as well as the Centrists’ Union. According to the Greek Constitution, the last article of the bill, which provides for the abolition of the 50-seat bonus top the first party, will need the vote of at least 200 MPs in order to be valid for the next national elections.