Athens using immigrants as scapegoats

The Greek government has launched a large police operation against illegal immigrants. Around 6,000 people without valid papers were taken into provisional custody on the weekend, roughly 1,600 of whom will be sent back to their countries of origin, the police announced on Monday. A dangerous initiative, writes the left-liberal daily De Volkskrant: "The government in Athens is witnessing growing frustration among the population and the increased popularity of right-wing extremist groups like the neo-Nazi organisation Chrysi Avgi. ... According to the Minister for Public Order Nikos Dendias, the operation was necessary to counter the 'incredible invasion' that menaced the country's stability. He said that immigration was possibly a bigger problem for Greece than the lack of money. With such rhetoric the minister turned immigrants into scapegoats for Greece's plight. Such words can be dangerous, especially as the mood in the country is becoming ever more dismal. They don't help - on the contrary they only strengthen feelings of unease and are misleading to boot: Greece's financial woes are not caused by its immigrants, but by its politicians."

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