Berlin, Germany – Konstantin Kuhle, the deputy leader of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) in the German parliament, has called for a reform of the voting rules for expatriate Germans, citing a need for a more efficient and organized process.
According to Kuhle, the current system is a “scandal” as many Germans abroad are hindered from exercising their democratic right to vote. He believes that the current process is a result of poor organization by the German government, particularly in the case of a snap election, when the time frame is too short for ballots to be counted in time.
Kuhle suggests that the voting materials should be printed at German embassies and consulates, allowing for a direct voting process at these locations or the submission of completed ballots to the consulates, which would then be sent to Germany in a single package. This, he claims, would significantly speed up the process.
The FDP politician also criticizes the current situation, stating that the German government has failed to provide a suitable solution and that the Ministry of the Interior and the Foreign Office have “delayed” a solution. He hopes that, if the FDP enters the Bundestag, his proposal will be a top priority.
Kuhle expects that individual Germans may challenge the election results, citing the fact that some votes may not have been counted due to the time constraints. Although he does not expect the election to be annulled, he believes that the current situation is a scandal that could have been avoided.