1. NIKI on the Representation of the Greek Diaspora in the Hellenic Parliament
A patriotic government must establish an independent Ministry for the Greek Diaspora.
Regarding voting rights, NIKI believes it is in Greece’s best interest that Greeks living abroad have the right to vote, rather than “naturalized” foreigners residing within Greece.
We support the right of expatriate Greeks to stand for election, as independent individuals (not through political parties), with a fixed number of representatives from each continent.
NIKI’s support in Parliament on 24 July 2023 was decisive in expanding the voting rights of expatriate Greeks. With NIKI’s ten votes, the total reached 208—surpassing the required 200—and thus the restrictive provisions previously imposed by SYRIZA, which had effectively excluded the diaspora from the electoral process (only about 25,000 expatriates voted in the last national elections), were abolished.
We submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Interior with proposals to improve the electoral process for expatriates: voting on Sundays, on-site ballot counting with simple verification in Greece, cost reduction through electoral committees composed of diplomatic personnel and interested expatriates, and the establishment of more polling stations abroad.
We proposed a carefully monitored pilot scheme for postal voting, limited exclusively to cases of health or mobility issues. However, we voted against the government’s bill, as it contained unconstitutional elements and raised serious concerns regarding the security of personal data and the reliability of election results.
Through continuous interventions in Parliament, NIKI has highlighted the core challenges faced by the Greek Diaspora. By addressing questions to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Interior, we denounced the unacceptable delays in granting Greek citizenship and passports to Greeks of the Diaspora, calling for immediate institutional solutions and the establishment of a dedicated Ministry for the Greek Diaspora.
We have also emphasized issues of tax fairness for repatriated citizens, protection of diaspora property and pensions, and the need for a comprehensive National Strategy for the Greek Diaspora, uniting all Greeks worldwide with the motherland.
It is noteworthy that in the May and June 2023 elections, NIKI’s national party list (“Epikrateias”) included 10 diaspora Greeks among its 15 candidates, clearly demonstrating the party’s intent to embrace Hellenism across the globe.
2. A Political Program Guided by the Diaspora and Greek Tradition
Our foremost priority is to sustain the Greek spirit abroad while simultaneously strengthening the homeland through the love and contribution of our expatriate communities.
A. Education Rooted in Faith, Tradition, and Greek Identity
NIKI believes that education is the foundation for the rebirth of Hellenism, both in Greece and among the Diaspora. The new generation of Greeks—wherever they live—deserves schools that cultivate Hellenic-Orthodox values, national consciousness, and intellectual formation.
We support Greek schools abroad with modern curricula centered on the Greek language, history, philosophy, and Orthodox tradition, ensuring the spirit of Hellenism remains alive in every corner of the world.
We promote schools that form free, responsible, and virtuous individuals, not merely professionals shaped by globalization. Education must foster critical thinking, virtue, and truth, free from ideological manipulation.
We defend the family as the natural nucleus of education and society—education must cooperate with parents, not replace or bypass them.
We protect children and youth from digital addiction, misinformation, and cultural distortion.
We place Orthodox Faith and Greek Tradition at the heart of the educational mission, highlighting respect, creativity, and authentic Greek identity.
B. Demographic and Economic Revival of Greece through the Diaspora
Greece faces historically low birth rates, the closure of hundreds of schools each year (both in Greece and abroad), the mass emigration of young Greeks, and uncontrolled illegal migration. Agricultural lands remain uncultivated; productive enterprises are shutting down; energy is imported at high cost; and thousands of Greeks are losing their homes to predatory funds selling them to foreigners.
At NIKI, we believe that the Greek Diaspora can play a vital role in reviving Greece on all these fronts:
A “Legion of Expatriate Greeks” within the Greek Armed Forces: military service by diaspora Greeks can be honored with incentives for study and entrepreneurship in Greece.
Strong repatriation incentives for recently emigrated Greeks and for second- and third-generation diaspora Greeks, including preferential tax terms for business investment and home acquisition.
Promotion of authentic Greek products abroad: the Diaspora can invigorate the Greek economy by investing in domestic production, forming modern cooperative structures, and exporting high-quality Greek goods across five continents—with the support of active export-oriented economic diplomacy.
C. Promotion and Internationalization of the Greek Language and Culture
The legacy of great Greeks and our national heritage must be safeguarded and not tarnished by those who disrespect historical truth. Our rich language and traditions must remain strong and shine on the world stage.
Creation of a “Hellenic Hollywood” and a Hellenic History Channel, producing quality entertainment that highlights key figures and events of Greek history with international appeal.
Greece can emerge as a leading international destination for Christian pilgrimage, as the land where Apostles and great Saints lived and where the first Christian civilization—the Byzantine—was born.
Internationalization of the Ancient Greek language, including certification exams, integration into Google’s automatic translation systems, recognition of polytonic writing in search engines, and the establishment of annual Greek language events. We also advocate the recognition of Ancient Greek Pankration as an official martial art.
New Ambassadors of Hellenism: large-scale hosting of diaspora and philhellene youth in educational camps offering immersive introductions to the Greek language and culture.
D. The Struggle for Macedonia and the Annulment of the Prespa Agreement
NIKI was founded out of the rallies for Macedonia. The betrayal of Macedonia’s name was covertly endorsed by New Democracy, which failed to veto North Macedonia’s entry into the EU and NATO despite pre-election promises in 2019.
We never refer to Skopje by the shameful imposed name, not even within Parliament. We will fight for the Prespa Agreement to be abolished and replaced with a fair, honest, and dignified name, such as “Central Balkan Republic” or “Republic of Skopje.”
NIKI has formally introduced a bill to repeal the Prespa Agreement, and we call for the constant vigilance and mobilization of the Greek Diaspora against Skopjan propaganda efforts.
3. How You Can Support NIKI’s Effort
You can contribute to NIKI’s mission by:
Establishing Local Communities of NIKI Friends within the Diaspora,
Promoting interviews and communications of NIKI and its President,
Supporting Diaspora-related initiatives in the Hellenic Parliament,
Participating in coordinated actions and professional networks,
Providing financial support to the Movement,
Safeguarding election results through on-site monitoring.
In these ways, NIKI can become the authentic voice of Hellenism worldwide.
For more information:
APODHMOS-ELLHNISMOS@NIKH.gr
Head of NIKI’s Greek Diaspora Sector:
Georgios Nikolakos – g.nikolakos@NIKH.gr