Since his entry into office at the end of June, Thanos Plevris has not mince his words. In an interview with Daily MailMonday, July 21, the Greek Minister from the New Democracy Conservative Party summed up his strategy with a lapidary formula: “Do not come here. We will put you in prison or send you back to your home. »»
These words are part of a firmness policy displayed by Athens. On July 9, the government announced the judgment, for a period of three months, of the examination of asylum applications filed by migrants landing from North Africa. A measure already experienced in 2020 during the migration crisis with Turkey. “The illegal migrants arrived since Libya in recent hours have been arrested by the coast guards”said the minister on Saturday July 19 on X (ex-Twitter).
This suspension, according to Thanos Plevris, should allow us to end what he describes as an “invasion” and send a clear signal: “Someone entering my country illegally must understand that they are coming into a surveillance regime, no hospitality. »»
“The end of the fairy tale”
At the heart of the Minister’s speech, a questioning of the legitimacy of many migrants to enter Greek territory: “These are mainly men aged 18 to 30, economic migrants from countries considered as safe, as EgyptPakistan or Bangladesh. »»
“We are no longer a hotel”he insists, saying that Greece wishes to help the “Real refugees”but refuses to be “Take for an idiot”. To support this line lasts, a new law now provides more than two years in prison for any illegal entry in the territory, and up to five years in the event of a recurrence. These dissuasive measures, the minister assumes them without detour: “I am a follower of deterrent means … This is the end of the fairy tale according to which those who arrive in Greece and Europe in incredible number are all women and children. »»
Crete under pressure
Since the beginning of the year, more than 7,300 migrants have arrived in Crete and on the neighboring island of Gavdos, against 4,935 throughout 2024. In July, more than 2,000 people were already identified by the authorities. Among them, around 200 migrants have been intercepted in recent days: 190 south of Crete and eleven others near the island of Agathonísi, off Turkey.
These massive arrivals arouse the concern of local authorities and the anger of tourist operators, worried about the image of Crete in the middle of summer season. On the ground, the reception is freezing: several hundred migrants are temporarily housed in emergency camps, often on simple mattresses on the floor.
Faced with this pressure, the Minister is pointing to a manager: Libya, from which most boats leave. “Our big problem today is Libya and those it sends (…) three million migrants massage it”he alerts, fearing increasing pressure on Crete, located south of the Mediterranean and the native land of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Depending on the Greek coast guards, some intercepted ships can transport up to 300 people. The government therefore intends to close this new front door before it becomes uncontrollable.
Any migrant arriving illegally must now expect detention
Beyond the legal framework, Greece mainly wants to strike strongly on the symbolic level: to show that automatic reception is no longer the rule and that any stranger arriving illegally must now expect detention and rapid expulsion. “They are not allowed to apply for asylum, they will not be taken to the reception centers, but will remain detained by the police until the process of their return is initiated Summarizes Thanos Plevris.
It remains to be seen whether this firmness strategy will really brake the departures, while conflicts, misery and the role of smugglers continue to feed the flow of migrants to Europe.
