Left-wing parties denounce asylum restrictions as unconstitutional and “shameful”
A new migration bill tabled by the Greek government has triggered a political firestorm in Parliament, with opposition parties accusing the Mitsotakis administration of violating international law and the Greek Constitution. The controversial amendment, which halts asylum applications from nationals of specific North African countries, was passed late Thursday with support solely from the ruling party and the far-right Hellenic Solution.
The government argues the measure is a necessary response to an “asymmetric threat” posed by what it describes as the instrumentalisation of migration flows through Libya. But the Left was quick to condemn it as illegal and immoral.
Diamanto Manolakou (KKE) called it a “disgraceful and arbitrary removal of the right to seek asylum,” while SYRIZA’s Giorgos Psychogios denounced it as “unlawful and shameful.” Sia Anagnostopoulou (New Left) labelled it “blatantly racist,” and Zoe Konstantopoulou of Course of Freedom filed a formal objection of unconstitutionality.
Health Minister Thanos Plevris, who introduced the bill, stood firm, stating, “Greece cannot be a free-for-all. Those without asylum rights will face prison or expulsion.”
PASOK abstained with a “present” vote, though MP Andreas Doukas broke ranks to vote against it.
The government defends the measure as essential to border control amid growing arrivals from Libya and renewed EU talks on migration policy. Critics argue it risks contravening the Geneva Convention and European asylum standards, potentially exposing Greece to legal challenges in domestic and international courts.
As tensions escalate, the future of the bill may ultimately be decided not in Parliament but in courtrooms—both Greek and European.
