Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s decision to appoint Makis Voridis, a politician with deep ties to far-right extremism, as Greece’s Minister for Migration has sparked outrage and alarm. This move, framed as a “government reset” following public fury over the 2023 train disaster, reflects a cynical pivot toward xenophobic populism. By elevating Voridis, Mitsotakis prioritises political survival over human rights, risking Greece’s democratic integrity and exacerbating the suffering of migrants.
Makis Voridis’s political career began in the 1980s as a leader of EPEN, a far-right party founded by Georgios Papadopoulos, the dictator behind Greece’s 1967–1974 military junta. EPEN promoted ultranationalist rhetoric, advocating for authoritarian rule and the exclusion of minorities. Voridis’s notoriety peaked when he was filmed wielding an axe during clashes with left-wing students, a symbol of his violent approach to dissent. Later, as an MEP, he aligned with Jean-Marie Le Pen’s National Front, adopting its anti-immigrant and Islamophobic platforms. Voridis has consistently portrayed Muslim migrants as threats to Greece’s “social cohesion”, rhetoric that dehumanises vulnerable people and justifies cruel policies.
Mitsotakis’s choice of Voridis is a calculated distraction from his government’s failures. The 2023 train crash, which killed 57 people, exposed systemic neglect of infrastructure and safety protocols. Public trust collapsed amid allegations of a cover-up, with protests demanding accountability. Instead of addressing these issues, Mitsotakis has shifted focus to migration, a tactic employed by far-right leaders like Italy’s Giorgia Meloni to rally conservative voters. Critics argue this reshuffle aims to consolidate power within Mitsotakis’s New Democracy party, which has bled support to far-right factions like the Spartans. By appointing Voridis, Mitsotakis signals a hardline turn to appease his base, even as it alienates centrist allies.
The opposition has reacted fiercely. Syriza, Greece’s left-wing party, condemned the appointment as “an insult to Greek society” and accused Mitsotakis of “normalising fascism”. Anti-racist groups like Keerfa warned that Voridis’s leadership would lead to “mass deportations and state-sponsored racism”. Even centrist voices within the EU have expressed concern. European Parliament rapporteur Tineke Strik noted that Greece’s migration policies, already marred by illegal pushbacks, risk further erosion under Voridis .
The consequences for migrants could be catastrophic. Greece has long been criticised for violent pushbacks, squalid camps, and ignoring asylum applications (Amnesty International, 2023; Human Rights Watch, 2023). Voridis’s rhetoric and past statements suggest he will intensify these abuses. His support for mass deportations and detention centres violates international law and exacerbates the humanitarian crisis on islands like Lesbos, where overcrowded camps lack basic sanitation (UNHCR, 2023). Worse, his appointment risks emboldening far-right groups like Golden Dawn, whose leaders were jailed for neo-Nazi violence.
Mitsotakis’s gamble also threatens Greece’s international standing. The EU has repeatedly condemned Greece’s migration violations, and Voridis’s policies could trigger funding cuts or legal action. Relations with Turkey, key to managing migration flows, may fray further if Greece adopts unilateral, aggressive measures. Domestically, the government’s credibility is crumbling. The train disaster exposed corruption and incompetence (Hellenic Parliament Report, 2023), and Mitsotakis’s focus on polarising rhetoric over reform deepens public distrust.
Greece stands at a crossroads. Mitsotakis’s embrace of far-right politics betrays the nation’s democratic legacy and imperils its future. The opposition, civil society, and international partners must demand accountability. Migrants deserve dignity, not scapegoating. Greeks deserve leaders who confront crises with courage, not cruelty. As the birthplace of democracy, Greece must reject fear and choose justice.
More reading:
Amnesty International (2023) Greece: Violence and Lies – The Ongoing Pushback of Migrants to Turkey. Available at: https://www.amnesty.org
BBC News (2023) Greece Train Crash: 57 Dead in Collision “Caused by Human Error”. Available at: https://www.bbc.com
Dimitras, P. (2020) The Far-Right in Greece: From Marginality to Mainstream. Athens: Hellenic Foundation.
DW News (2023) Greece-Turkey Relations: A Fragile Migration Deal. Available at: https://www.dw.com
Euronews (2023) Greece’s Far-Right Spartans Gain Traction Amid New Democracy’s Decline. Available at: https://www.euronews.com
European Parliament (2023) Report on Fundamental Rights in the EU. Available at: https://www.europarl.europa.eu
Human Rights Watch (2023) Greece: Migrant Pushbacks and Violence at Borders. Available at: https://www.hrw.org
Kathimerini (2022) Voridis: “Migration Threatens Social Cohesion”. Available at: https://www.kathimerini.gr
Kassimeris, G. (2021) Greece’s Far-Right: From the Junta to Golden Dawn. London: Routledge.
Keerfa (2023) Press Release on Voridis Appointment. Available at: https://www.keerfa.gr
Krastev, I. (2023) The Rise of Illiberal Democracy in Europe. Journal of Democracy, 34(1), pp. 45–59.
Papadopoulos, A. (2019) Greek Far-Right and European Alliances. Ekathimerini. Available at: https://www.ekathimerini.com
Reuters (2023) Greece’s Government Accused of Negligence in Train Crash. Available at: https://www.reuters.com
Smith, H. (2021) Greece’s Far-Right: A Resurgent Threat. The Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com
Spyropoulou, M. (2023) EU Threatens Greece Over Migrant Pushbacks. Euronews. Available at: https://www.euronews.com
Syriza (2023) Official Statement on Cabinet Reshuffle. Available at: https://www.syriza.gr
UNHCR (2023) Greece Refugee Data Portal. Available at: https://data.unhcr.org
Smith, H. (2025) Greek PM seeks ‘reset’ with former far-right activist as migration minister. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com
