Citizen Protection Minister calls for ban on renting apartments to large migrant groups

In a televised interview, Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochidis shifted to a hard-line stance, equating migrant presence with criminal activity. He announced a forthcoming “sweep” of apartments in central Athens where as many as 30 foreign nationals are reported to share a single unit, proposing a law that would ban such rentals and subleases. The minister cited neighborhoods like Patissia and Agios Pantaleimon, claiming that Greek owners rent to foreigners who charge 10-30 euros per night, leading to overcrowding.

He pledged that authorities will enter these flats, evict the occupants and, with police assistance, send them back to their countries of origin. Chrysochidis further warned that anyone who commits crimes without proper residence permits must leave Greece, noting that detention centers under ELAS will fill with deportees.