Government working on new electoral law for local polls

A plan has been drawn up to change the law for the upcoming local elections, allowing Greeks to elect municipal councilors from a different party to their choice for mayor, Interior Ministry sources said on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras indicated in a TV interview on Monday that the change would take place ahead of next year’s local polls and this was confirmed by ministry sources, who said that other alterations would also be included in new legislation.

Mayors will be elected from the first round of elections if they receive 42 percent or more of the votes, rather than face a runoff against the second-placed candidate regardless of their backing.

Mayoral candidates will not get a seat on the municipal council unless they receive 5 percent of the vote.