The radical leftist SYRIZA government went out of its way on Tuesday to offer political protection to its controversial alternate migration minister on Tuesday, amid a continuing “tsunami” of undocumented migrants landing on various Greek isles from practically “all points east”.
Minister Tasia Christodoulopoulou has also come under sharp criticism for the state’s response once the migrants make it onto Greek territory, as well as her often glib comments, such as the one about migrants “sunning themselves” in central Athens or even “disappearing” to unknown parts after transiting Greece.
“For all those that want to be sheltered (in Greece) there is an open reception area in Elaionas, the rest continue on,” she said, referring to a makeshift campsite with special containers based in a rundown part of inner city Athens.
A same-day report by the UN said that no less than 21,000 third country nationals illegally entered the country in one week, with the NYC-based organization saying most are Syrians.
Christodoulopoulou, an unelected appointment on the Cabinet, was the … recipient of congratulations earlier by veteran leftist and minister of state Alekos Flambouraris, who offered kudos to the former for “being the only minister this season who hasn’t gone to the beach”.
The outspoken minister, a long-time proponent of more migrant-friendly policies and “looser borders”, complained in radio comments on Tuesday that her two most prominent statements on the illegal migration issue were ridiculed, the one about “sunning” and the one about “disappearing migrants”.