Greece to create new government department for refugee crisis

The Greek government is set to create a new general secretariat that will be responsible for managing the refugee crisis and is intending to appoint former MP Odysseas Voudouris to head it, Kathimerini has learned.

According to sources, the government is seeking to share the responsibilities of managing refugees and migrants between the new secretariat and the Interior Ministry’s existing body, headed by Vassilis Papadopoulos.

Voudouris, a doctor, was selected for the new role due to his background working with aid agencies and nongovernmental organizations, including as chief of the Greek department of Doctors Without Borders, as well as in state posts in public health management.

Voudouris was first elected MP with PASOK in 2009 and subsequently on the Democratic Left ticket in 2012. He was ousted from both parties after disagreements over policy.

SYRIZA backed Voudouris when he unsuccessfuly stood to become governor of the Peloponnese in 2014.