Voter turnout in Greece stood at 26.1% by 2.30 p.m. on Sunday, the Interior ministry announced.
A total of 2,504,389 voters had cast their ballots by that time. Turnout at the same time in the June 2023 national elections was 31.5%.
UPDATE: Interior Ministry announced that voters’ participation was at 32.9% by 5:45 p.m. Ballot boxes close at 7 p.m.
- It looks as if Greeks send a strong message both to national and the European political landscape.
Many Greeks, especially younger generations, choose the beach over the European elections and the polling stations.
Many elderly stayed preferred to stay at home in the protections of A/C and fan due to high temperatures.
Some told media that they may go to vote after the beach or not at all. Many Greeks, who have been battling with low wages and high cost of living, seem to believe that the policies decided in Brussels do not affect their daily life.
Low participation & bureaucracy in Greece 2.0
A representative of a polling station told state broadcaster ERT she doesn’t expect a high participation as the majority of those registered there were born 1910-1930.
According to some posts on social media at 4:30 p.m. participation so far does not exceed 40%, however, this is not official by the Interior Ministry
Voting Moments
TV cameras outside polling stations captured pictures of brides and athletes going to fulfill their duty as voting is mandatory until the age of 70. Other voters went with their children and pets.
pictures via efsyn.gr
In a school in Larissa, central Greece, voters were trapped in the school elevator with the fire brigades to free them from the unpleasant situation. A little later another voter, an elderly man, was also trapped in the elevator and had to be freed by the fire service. The school announced that the elevator is not “for frequent use [!?] ” and shut it down.
Video:
Greeks have to choose among 31 political parties and coalitions and 1,168 candidates.
Greece is being represented at the European Parliament with 21 MEPs.
Polling station close at 7 p.m. and exit polls are published at 7:01 p.m.
Final results are expected at 9 p.m.