Greece’s Migration and Asylum Minister, Thanos Plevris, reaffirmed the government’s hardline stance on irregular migration during an interview on state broadcaster ERT News on Monday evening, rejecting the notion that migration could serve as a solution to the country’s demographic decline.
Plevris, among the Cabinet’s more outspoken “hawks” on migration, emphasized that the Mitsotakis government has maintained a consistently strict policy since taking office.
“We have always had a strict migration policy. Back in 2019, we weren’t being heard,” Plevris said, noting that the international approach to migration has since shifted dramatically.
He highlighted changes in Germany’s migration framework and the evolving discourse in the United States, arguing that countries that once promoted immigration as a universal remedy are now tightening their policies.
“Nations that believed migration was the panacea for all problems are now reversing course. They have come to understand what Greece has been saying for years,” he added.
Migration “Not a Cure” for the Demographic Problem
When asked whether migration could help counter Greece’s demographic crisis, Plevris was unequivocal:
“No. The demographic problem is not just a matter of numbers.”
He explained that conflating demographic renewal with population replacement is misguided, citing Europe’s mixed record on migrant integration.
“If the solution is population replacement, then let’s look at the integration model. Has it worked in France or Denmark? Sweden and Germany are now reforming their citizenship laws. These countries are realizing that migration cannot fix demographic challenges — the two issues must be treated separately.”
Data on Asylum and Irregular Arrivals
Plevris revealed that Greece currently grants asylum to about 45% of applicants.
He reported that around 60,000 undocumented migrants entered Greece in 2024, though that figure dropped by roughly 13% this year.
Addressing the situation in Syria following the collapse of the Assad regime, he said that recent asylum applications from Syrians have been rejected.
“The war in Syria is over. Those who were persecuted under Assad no longer have a reason to remain. This week, we will see the first voluntary returns of Syrians.”
New Circular to Asylum Seekers
Earlier on Monday, the Ministry of Migration and Asylum issued a circular signed by Plevris, containing a message to be distributed to asylum seekers and individuals detained in closed or controlled facilities.
The document explicitly states:
“If you are not a refugee and are not entitled to protection, then you have entered and are remaining in the country illegally.”
It warns that in such cases:
- The asylum application will be rejected,
- The individual will be placed in administrative detention for up to 24 months, and
- They will face criminal charges resulting in a prison sentence of 2 to 5 years.
The circular further advises that the only way to avoid these penalties is through voluntary return to one’s home country — ideally before submitting an asylum claim.
Additionally, the text makes clear that any violent conduct within reception facilities will result in immediate rejection of an asylum application on grounds of public order and security.
greekcitytimes.com.
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