Greece’s parliament approved a migration and asylum bill implementing key provisions of the European Union’s Migration and Asylum Pact, with support limited to the ruling conservative party, as political divisions over migration policy continue to deepen amid renewed pressure on the country’s external borders.
The legislation, titled “Implementation of the Migration and Asylum Pact and Other Provisions of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum,” was approved in principle and in its entirety by lawmakers from the ruling New Democracy (ND) party. The opposition parties voted against the bill, including leftist Syriza, the Communist Party (KKE), the right-wing opposition party Greek Solution, and the nationalist party Niki, while MPs of the socialist PASOK party voted “present.”
The legislation forms part of Greece’s broader effort to align its migration framework with the EU pact, as the government seeks to accelerate asylum and return procedures while strengthening border management. Migration has remained a prominent issue in recent months, with authorities reporting increased arrivals along routes from North Africa to Crete and other southern islands, prompting calls for additional measures to address irregular migration and combat migrant-smuggling networks.
The parliamentary debate comes as migration remains a politically sensitive issue for the government. Over recent months, authorities have faced growing pressure to manage rising arrivals from Libya while balancing obligations under European and international law. The government has argued that stricter controls, faster processing of asylum claims and more effective returns are necessary to deter irregular migration.
