The government’s amendment on immigration was approved by the House of Representatives with 177 positive votes. After an electronic vote, 74 MPs voted “no” and 42 chose “present”, while a total of 293 MPs voted.
“Greece has a long-standing tradition of offering protection to people fleeing war and persecution. That tradition must be upheld,” the agency stated.
He stressed that the Greek government is sending a message to traffickers that the passage to Greece is closingbut also to their prospective clients, showing them that their money will be wasted because it will be much harder to reach Greece by sea.
This follows the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee vote on June 24, which passed the draft report with wide support despite Bulgarian objections. The initial text included direct references to “Macedonian language and identity” and dismissed amendments suggesting “modern” as a qualifier.
The legislation introduces stricter regulations governing the sale, provision, and distribution of tobacco and alcohol to individuals under the age of 18, and establishes a unified enforcement mechanism to prevent underage access.
Merkel, who played a pivotal role from 2011 when Greece entered its first bailout program until her retirement in 2021, shared critical moments and decisions in a packed hall at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.
