By Antonis Anzoletou

The noise caused by the intervention of Antonis Samaras, regarding the amendment that gives the right to a legal residence permit to immigrants from third countries who resided illegally in Greece until November 30, 2023, reached Brussels. Kyriakos Mitsotakis had just left the Belgian capital where the work of a difficult European Council had been completed. Everything shows that Monday, when the specific amendment to the insurance bill will be voted on, will not be an easy day for the majority. The former prime minister called for the withdrawal of this regulation, describing it as a “beacon to attract illegal immigrants”.

Despite the assurances of Adonis Georgiadis and Dimitris Kairides that the residence permit for foreigners depends only on the existence and continuation of declared work by the beneficiary and does not give the right to either permanent residence or citizenship, Antonis Samaras insists on his position. It is a difficult moment for the governing majority, as it is considered certain that the opposition will take advantage of this issue by asking for a roll call vote. Nikos Pappas, on behalf of SYRIZA, clarified that the amendment is in the right direction and wondered if New Democracy has the majority to pass it. According to many, the amendment is an opportunity for the progressive forces in the Parliament to cooperate.

The Ministry of Labor hastened to provide explanations, stressing through questions and answers that the amendment does not give the right to family reunification and does not concern new entrants. Without being able to make an exact determination of how many are the illegal residents, it is estimated that they reach around 30,000. Adonis Georgiadis made it clear from the floor of the Plenary that the limit for granting a residence permit is not changing from seven to three years, but a chance is given once.

It is not the first time that Antonis Samaras has rung a “bell” towards his faction recently. He had recently spoken about the handling of the Greek-Turkish language, while he had expressed his refusal to establish the marriage of same-sex couples. Kyriakos Mitsotakis has committed to bring this specific bill within four years, but several dissenting voices of blue-collar ministers and MPs have already gathered. The Holy Synod will meet today and several executives of the N.D. they strongly feel the pressure of their voters who are close to the church and have more conservative views. At the same time, it is clear that Kyriakos Mitsotakis wants to make moves that will extend his dominance in the center area. Especially now that PASOK seems to have small upward trends after the decline of SYRIZA.