The Minister Minister of Immigration and Asylum Thanos Plevris responded with accurate statement to Heraklion MPs of PASOK Eleni Vatsina and Fragiskos Parasiris.

The occasion was their attitude towards the operation of a temporary closed controlled structure for the management of migration flows in Heraklion.

According to sources at the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum, Mr. Plevris said that the two MPs “chose not to attend a briefing” held for Heraklion MPs, and then issued a statement of disagreement on the operation of the structure, without, as the minister stresses, submitting an alternative proposal.

The minister noted that with their attitude they “actually propose that the management of migratory flows in Heraklion in the middle of summer should take place at the port“, describing such a possibility as “absolutely irresponsible“.

At the same time, he referred to the case of Chania, noting that there, “with the cooperation of the Region and the municipality, already operates space that does not burden the local community at all, as it is closed and the transfer is done directly.”

For Heraklion, Mr. Pleyris claimed that the local government declared an inability to grant public space and suggested that the ministry seek private space.

In his statement, the minister called on PASOK president Nikos Androulakis to submit an alternative proposal, saying that “if there is an alternative proposal to that of the ministry from the Heraklion-based opposition leader Mr Androulakis, it is welcome“. He added, however, that “the policy of “not at all and no position” does not suit someone who aspires, as he believes, to govern“.

Mr. Pleyris continued his criticism of the PASOK president, claiming that “he allowed the Heraklion MPs of PASOK to hide“. As he said, “the truth is that he eventually hid from both his compatriots and from facing reality.”