We have heard countless tough declarations on migration. But until now, no one had quite dared to say out loud: let’s stop feeding them.

That line has now been crossed by the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Riding the wave of its liberal, reformist, and “excellent” image, the administration — through its competent minister — recently announced that the food provided to asylum seekers is simply too much. “Currently, the menu is hotel-quality,” he said. “Three meal options, four times meat and once fish per week. This is not reasonable.”

Indeed. What seems far more reasonable to this government is to count the bites of those fleeing civil wars in Africa.

No surprises from Minister Plevris, who is simply living his dream. A dream where he can finally act on the very things he once loudly demanded during his far-right days with a pedigree — the days when he declared that migrants “should not have food or shelter here. Hell should seem like paradise compared to what they will experience.”

Now that food provision is the subject, it would be useful for him to state what actually applies. The current framework was set in 2021, under then-Minister Notis Mitarachi. The daily food allowance per person is €6.88 for mainland facilities and €6.85 for those on the islands. This cost is fully covered by European Union funds, subject to specific requirements — such as minimum daily calorie intake.

As for who was awarded these contracts — under both the current and previous administrations — one need only browse the extensive investigative reports on the catering “parties” or refer to decisions by the Hellenic Competition Commission.

EU funding also covers temporary allowances for housing, food, and basic needs for asylum seekers. These range from around €150 per month for individuals without shelter or food to €75 for those with registered housing. These are not handed out to people without legal documentation.

These are the “generous benefits” — which do not cost the Greek state a single cent — now being targeted by the Mitsotakis government. A government, evidently inspired by its own inaction on agricultural subsidies, that has decided to slash EU funds for people who are not voters.

After all, sheep and goats raised by loyal party patrons seem far more politically rewarding than the chickens on the plates of Sudanese refugees.