MacroPolis

PM denies asylum-seeker pushbacks, argues Covid-19 under control

A wide-ranging interview with Christiane Amanpour gave Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis the opportunity to lay out his government’s position on a number of key issues, including the ongoing tension with Turkey, migration policy, and recent developments on the Covid-19 front.

The controversial removal of refugees from temporary accommodation has caused tensions in the centre of Athens, as evicted families sheltering in a square became the focus of demonstrations and counter-demonstrations.

The government’s handling of the migration issue is coming under scrutiny again after hundreds of asylum seekers gathered in public spaces in Athens after being told they could leave the refugee camps on the Aegean islands.

As the headlines in Greece continue to be dominated by the government’s response to the pandemic and its economic implications, New Democracy’s handling of other issues is starting to come under fire once again.

While Greek government officials are beginning to express reserved optimism over the success of the lockdown measures in controlling the spread of coronavirus among the general population, a handful of confirmed cases in migrant housing facilities have highlighted the risk posed by crowded living conditions in the camps.

Greece feels that over the last few days there has been a notable increase in Turkey aggressiveness, both in words and actions, putting Athens on alert.

Greece is concerned about Ankara's tactic to distinguish Greece from the rest of the European Union on the refugee issue.

As skirmishes between migrants, Greek and Turkish border forces continue, this week kicks off with heightened diplomatic activity on all sides in pursuit of a solution.

The first major opinion poll published since the closure of Greek-Turkish border crossings appears to back up the sense that there is strong support for the government’s decision across the political spectrum.

Calls for a council of Greek political leaders in recent days have revealed the degree of unity behind the government’s handling of the crisis at the Turkish border, while disagreements persist over how to address the migration issue as a whole.