Thanos Plevris, speaking on ERTNews’ “Weekend from 5”, defended the government’s line on immigration, clarifying that there is no way Greece can operate with “open borders”.
He said the country will act within the framework of legality, but will exhaust every possibility to protect its borders.
Commenting on the picture inside the New Democracy, he spoke of a party with lively political processes. He argued that public statements by MPs are not a sign of introversion, but a process through which weaknesses and mistakes can be corrected.
At the same time, he noted that estimates of tension at the recent meeting of the parliamentary group were not confirmed, while he described the discussion that took place as “serious and substantial”.
Referring to the last year before the elections, he said government officials should step forward more forcefully, both to present the government’s work and to explain failures. He said the Prime Minister’s reference that “we have to sweat the jersey” applies to the entire party.
He made special mention of former prime ministers Antonis Samaras and Kosta Karamanlis, noting that these are different cases. He said that Samaras no longer belonged to New Democracy, while he said that Karamanlis was a “great asset to the party”.
The minister also referred to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s speech at the ND pre-conference in Thessaloniki, saying it had a strong stock-taking character. According to him, the focus was on “strong Greece”, strengthening defence and the country’s diplomatic moves.
He argued that the government has embarked on the largest ever arms programme, while he assessed that Greece’s international position has been significantly strengthened in recent years.
He placed particular emphasis on the issue of border security and strict immigration policy, noting that these issues are of great concern to centre-right voters, especially in northern Greece.
Pleyris argued that the government’s immigration policy has produced measurable results. He linked the reduction in flows to the strengthening of controls, border surveillance and an increase in returns.
Responding to complaints about pushbacks, he said “we don’t do pushbacks, but we do protect the borders,” insisting that preventing boats from entering is within the legal framework.
He also stressed that the government will not apologise for implementing the law, adding that anyone who does not qualify for asylum will be returned to their country of origin.
The minister also argued that Greece is the first country to move towards criminalising illegal residence. As he explained, those who are not entitled to asylum will be able to be placed in detention until the return process is completed.
Commenting on the reactions from organisations and NGOs, he said that there are organisations that are doing substantial work, but argued that many operate mainly through European funding.
He also defended the work of the Liberation, noting that it protects the country’s borders and intervenes where necessary to save lives.
Referring to migratory flows, he said that the Eastern Aegean is recording a decrease of about 70 percent compared to 2025. According to him, cooperation with the Turkish coast guard and surveillance measures contributed to this.
He estimated, however, that the biggest problem is now shifting to Libya, where he said there are about 550,000 migrants and refugees seeking to cross to Europe.
He said Greece is working closely with Frontex and Libyan authorities to ensure that vessels are detected in time and departures from Libyan shores are limited.
The minister also confirmed that some shelters for unaccompanied minors will be closed, explaining that the number of children has dropped significantly in recent years.
He said unaccompanied minors have been reduced from about 3,000 to 1,500, and noted that the government has cut benefits that used to serve as an incentive to move to Europe.
At the same time, he announced a redesign of the structures, saying several were located in central Athens, which cannot continue to be under so much pressure.
In closing, Thanos Plevris referred to the changes being promoted in the management of those who enter the country illegally without being entitled to asylum.
