The plenary debate on the bill concerning the vote of Greeks abroad escalated into a heated political showdown, centred on the government’s stance toward the deepening crisis in the Middle East and developments that directly touch Cyprus.
Opposition parties accused the government of aligning with the United States and Israel, failing to take meaningful de-escalation initiatives, and leaving open the possibility of military involvement or the provision of facilities from Greek territory.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, for his part, described the situation as “war events of great scale and intensity”, with indeterminate economic consequences, warning that the world is entering a period of sustained geopolitical uncertainty.
Mitsotakis said Greece’s position is clear: support for de-escalation, a return to diplomacy, and absolute respect for international law.
He placed particular emphasis on freedom of navigation, and said that the “next day” in Iran must guarantee the freedom and self-determination of the Iranian people—alongside strict control of the country’s nuclear and ballistic programmes.
He also said Greece moved from the outset into diplomatic and defensive readiness: the Foreign Ministry’s Crisis Management Unit was activated, communication channels were opened with all involved states, and a plan was prepared for the repatriation of Greek citizens from the region when security conditions allow.
On Cyprus, described as “a pillar of Hellenism” closer to the war zone, Mitsotakis said that following communication with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Greece dispatched the frigate Kimon, the frigate Psarra, and four F-16 Viper fighter aircraft.
He stressed the mission is defensive and peaceful, aimed at deterring threatening actions against the Republic of Cyprus, and is not related to support for British bases.
Domestically, he said security has been heightened and planning is in place for potential migration flows. Economically, he warned fuel price increases should be considered likely, while signalling the government would intervene in cases of profiteering.
Androulakis: No involvement in the US–Israel war with Iran
PASOK–KINAL leader Nikos Androulakis said Greece’s military presence in the Eastern Mediterranean must be aimed exclusively at protecting Hellenism—especially Cyprus—and that there must be no involvement in the US–Israel war with Iran.
He stressed that no war operation can be launched from bases in Greece, and described the US–Israeli attack—without a UN Security Council decision—as a violation of international law.
Famellos seeks Political Leaders’ Council
SYRIZA–PS leader Sokratis Famellos called for the convening of a Council of Political Leaders, saying the country needs a clear national line. He accused the government of acting as a “given ally” and not unequivocally condemning the attack on Iran, raising questions about the use of Greek bases and reports regarding Greece joining a French nuclear “umbrella”.
New Left leader Alexis Haritsis made a similar request for commitments that military infrastructure would not be used outside a NATO framework, warning of the risk of direct involvement.
Greek Solution leader Kyriakos Velopoulos criticised defence policy and called for a unified defence doctrine with Cyprus, while Niki leader Dimitris Natsios welcomed the dispatch of forces but described it as a delayed reaction.
Zoe Konstantopoulou accused the government of already being involved, while KKE General Secretary Dimitris Koutsoumbas said the presence of US bases makes Greece a target and called for their removal.
Against this backdrop, the National Council for Foreign Policy also met under the Foreign Minister, with party representatives and experts participating, reinforcing that the Middle East crisis and its implications for Greece and Cyprus are a top national strategic issue.
Mitsotakis: “War events of great scale and intensity”
Speaking in Parliament, Mitsotakis said:
“These are war events of great scale and great intensity which at the same time cause indeterminate economic consequences, confirming unfortunately the assessment that the map of global geopolitical balances is constantly changing and that the only certainty is international uncertainty.”
He said Greece’s stance in this complex landscape is clear:
“We support the de-escalation of active conflicts and the return of diplomacy with respect for international law, with particular emphasis on the freedom and security of international navigation. This is, moreover, a position which we stated immediately at the UN Security Council. And the next day in Iran must guarantee the freedom and self-determination of a people who have been oppressed for decades. At the same time, with absolute control of both its nuclear and ballistic programme so that Iran ceases to constitute an ongoing threat to regional and international peace.”
He added that “from the first moment the country was placed in both diplomatic and defensive readiness,” noting the activation of the Crisis Management Unit, multiple communication lines with all involved states, platforms for repatriation declarations, and a plan for organised returns once flight safety is assured and airspace reopens.
He asked Greek citizens currently stranded in Gulf countries to show patience and prioritise their personal safety, saying the state would ensure their safe return as soon as feasible.
“Our attention, of course, at the same time also turns to Cyprus,” he said, “which constitutes the pillar of Hellenism and unfortunately is much closer than Greece to the war zone.”
Referring to the dispatch of naval and air assets, he said:
“Greece is present with responsibility and strength wherever national duty calls. And it places its upgraded armed forces at the service of global Hellenism. This mission of ours is defensive and peaceful. It is carried out on the basis of both bilateral and European solidarity and with only one aim: to deter threatening actions against the independent state of Cyprus.”
He said security is heightened and planning exists for potential population movements, noting that conflicts are often followed by civilian flows via neighbouring countries toward “the safer West,” adding: “For the time being, such a development is not visible.”
On the economic impact, he said the government is examining preventative measures:
“Any increases in fuel should be considered a given. But it is one thing to have measured increases from the rise in the price of the raw material, and another to have unbridled profiteering, and for this reason, if required, special measures will be taken to control possible excessive price rises.”
He argued that in “uncharted waters” of global realignment, internal stability becomes even more essential for security and progress, urging political forces to put aside “the small and the partisan” in favour of “the great and the national,” and calling for unity over divisive slogans.
He also warned that a generalised Middle East war produces no winners, only instability, humanitarian crises, and chain reactions reaching Europe, adding: “It is certainly not something we want.”
On southern Lebanon, he said it is understandable for Israel to respond to “unprovoked attacks” from Hezbollah, but argued that a large-scale ground operation would be unjustified and would inflame another front closer to Greek and Cypriot territory.
In his reply speech, he made two remarks: first, he welcomed the opposition’s shared condemnation of Golden Dawn, calling it a traumatic period in parliamentary life and attributing the outcome to initiatives by the New Democracy government.
Second, responding to KKE criticism about Greece’s military presence in Cyprus, he stressed Greece is providing defensive support to Cyprus—not to British bases—and said he expected greater responsibility “when for the first time after decades, Greece tangibly supports Cyprus in a very difficult geopolitical conjuncture.”
He also criticised parties to the right of New Democracy for what he described as their awkwardness and silence over the initiative to support Cyprus, quipping that when he had once used the phrase “lentil patriots,” he may have been insulting to lentils.
Androulakis: “No war operation can start from bases in Greece”
Androulakis said his party’s position is clear:
“Greece’s military presence in the Eastern Mediterranean must aim at protecting Hellenism, especially Cypriot Hellenism, which is closer to the war zone, and there must be no scenario of our involvement in the war waged by the United States and Israel with Iran. And that, of course, means that no war operation can start from the bases that are in Greece.”
He said the escalation raises justified concern over the risk of a wider regional conflict, acknowledged Iran’s authoritarian regime has contributed to destabilisation and systematically oppressed its own people, but added:
“The ‘pre-emptive’ military attack by the United States and Israel without a decision of the UN Security Council constitutes a blatant violation of international law. Our country is a factor of stability; therefore it must always be committed to the letter and the spirit of the rules of international legality.”
He asked where Europe is in de-escalation efforts, and what initiatives Greece—as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council—is ready to take, stressing peace can only be achieved through diplomacy, understanding, and respect for international law. He also highlighted energy security and said the crisis reinforces PASOK’s view that heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels is dangerous.
Famellos: “These problems are not solved by creating another problem”
SYRIZA–PS leader Sokratis Famellos reiterated the request, submitted via a joint letter with New Left leader Alexis Haritsis—for a Council of Political Leaders, while stressing Greece’s support for Cyprus is “self-evident and non-negotiable.”
After noting SYRIZA’s stance against human rights violations by Iran’s theocratic regime, he said:
“However, these problems are not solved with another problem, nor with civilian deaths and violations of international law. The solution must come from the Iranian people themselves. That is why we condemned from the first moment the military attack by the United States and Israel on Iran, which normalises the logic of the strong by trampling international law.”
He argued Greece should have acted proactively for international legality, peace and security as a non-permanent UN Security Council member, and said the government chose the opposite path. He questioned how long the government would serve the policy of the “given ally,” and criticised the Prime Minister’s communication with Benjamin Netanyahu, alleging the government framed war crimes and broader actions as self-defence.
Famellos posed three questions to Mitsotakis:
- “Do you condemn the attack on Iran in violation of the UN Charter?”
- “Do you rule out the use of our country’s bases in the war?”
- “Will a Council of Political Leaders take place, as required by institutional and national necessity?”
National Council for Foreign Policy meets
The National Council for Foreign Policy met for more than four hours on Wednesday under Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, focusing on developments in the Middle East. Representatives from parties and experts participated, including named MPs and specialists in international relations and law.