Dimitris Avramopoulos – outgoing National Defense Minister and incoming EU Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs – was the focus of an article in Deutsche Welle. The article looked at the positives and negatives of the Mr. Avramopoulos’ appointment. Amongst the pluses is Mr. Avramopoulos high-quality CV, however some say that this very point may be a negative. Critics point with skepticism to Greece’s poor track record as far as immigration policies are concerned.

MEP Maria Spyraki believes that Mr. Avramopoulos is the right man for the job. She also highlights the fact that the new College of Commissioners is more “political” with a number of former high-ranking ministers and prime ministers.

The European left isn’t as confident that a conservative politician such as Mr. Avramopoulos will be able to meet the demands of his post. Italian socialist MEP Gianni Pittelli states that every prospective European Commissioner is called upon to make particular commitments to the European Parliament and states that Mr. Avramopoulos will need to agree with some points in advance.

Mr. Avramopoulos will need to tackle Frontex and the application of asylum rules by all member states as well as a revue on the Blue Card aimed at attracting particular immigrants as well as EU expansion to include Turkey and other member states. The bet is on as to whether he’ll be successful in dealing with such complicated issues.