Source: Eurostat estimates based on Eurostat population scenarios (baseline variant) and the latest data.

* Age group voting for the first time in EP elections (last EP elections: June 1994).

The electoral law of 20 July 1981 as well as Law No. 1443/84 and Law No. 2623/98.

-    A pure proportional representation system is applied on a national basis.

-    Allocation of seats: Seats are allocated only to parties which have obtained at least 3% of the votes. Votes must be cast for a single list. No panachage or preference voting. Seats are allocated on the basis of the order in which candidates appear on a list.

-    Deadline for registration: No later than 20 days before polling day. The Court of Cassation approves the candidates 14 days before polling day and forwards their names to the Interior Ministry.

-    Deposit: Each list must deposit Dr 1 m (ECU 3000). Lists obtaining at least 3% of total votes cast have their deposit returned.

-    Conditions: Only political parties or coalitions of parties may submit lists. No list may include more than 25 names.

-    Incompatibilities: Those set out in the Act of September 1976 on elections to the European Parliament. In addition, a national law of 1981 states that no-one may simultaneously be a member of both the national parliament and the European Parliament. However, an exception to this was introduced by Law No. 1443/84, under which - subject to a clause specifying a certain percentage of the votes - the 'dual mandate' is permitted for the persons in first and second place on a given list.

    The following may not stand unless they first resign their office: mayors, civil servants, officers of the armed forces and the police, governors, heads of corporate bodies governed by public law and heads of state enterprises.

    The count begins at 10pm on Sunday. Final results: 5am on Monday.

-    Right to vote

 All EU citizens aged 18 or over and in full possession of their voting rights in their Member State of origin may vote. Voting is compulsory for Greek citizens aged 18 or over.

 Greek citizens resident in another EU Member State may vote at a Greek consulate.

 Voters resident in a district other than their district of origin may, under law No. 2623/98, vote in their place of residence provided they have submitted a written application to the mayor of their place of residence at least two months before the elections.

 Greek citizens resident outside the EU may vote only in Greece or at a Greek consulate in an EU Member State.

-    Right to stand for election

 Any EU citizen aged 21 or over and in full possession of his right to stand as a candidate in his Member State of origin may stand for election.

-    Funding: 0.5 thousandths of the regular revenue of the national budget will be set aside for special election expenditure for the European elections. These funds will be shared, on the basis of votes received, among the parties winning a seat or receiving 1.6% of the total votes cast.

-    Official campaign starting date: In principle, 40 days before the elections.

-    Media access: This is defined, for 'legal' parties, by the High Court.

-    Opinion polls: The media may not publish any opinion polls in the week preceding the elections.