Greek lawmakers have voted to temporarily halt asylum requests from North African migrants arriving by sea, a decision criticized by rights groups as illegal. The move follows a surge in migrants reaching Crete and marks a tightening of Greece’s migration policies under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ government.

The suspension passed by a vote of 177-74 despite fierce opposition from left-wing parties, which unsuccessfully challenged the amendment as unconstitutional. View on euronews

The coast guard noted 7,300 asylum-seekers have reached Crete and a nearby island this year, up from fewer than 5,000 in 2024. More than 2,500 arrivals have been recorded since June alone.

Greek authorities have transported more than 500 migrants to a port on the mainland in an effort to relieve strain on the island of Crete after a surge in arrivals from Libya.

Greece is temporarily suspending asylum applications for migrants arriving on Crete due to a surge in arrivals from Libya, with over 2,000 migrants landing since the weekend. The government plans to build a detention site and seek collaboration with the Libyan coast guard to deter boats.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Wednesday harsher measures to address migrant flow from Libya. Addressing the parliament amid a significant surge in migrant arrivals to Crete island from Libya, Mitsokakis said the situation Greece faces requires "requires extraordinary measures."

Over 1,200 migrants have been detained on Crete and nearby Gavdos due to rising arrivals from Libya. Greece's foreign minister visited Libya to address the crisis. With resident strain and poor sea conditions,