A panel of Council of State judges has ruled that a citizenship law passed in the Greek parliament on 11 March 2010, which allows foreigners who legally reside in Greece to vote and stand in local elections, is unconstitutional as only Greeks should be allowed this right. The constitution in force, according to the judges, stipulates that only Greek citizens are entitled to participate in elections.

In last November’s local elections, about 13,000 non-EU residents joined some 15,000 EU citizens on the electoral register.