Greece speeds up deportations of rejected asylum seekers

Greece is tightening migration rules to deport rejected asylum seekers faster and hold undocumented migrants for longer.

The new law would shorten return procedures, extend administrative detention and make it harder for people without papers to legalise their stay.

The government also wants return centres outside the EU, where migrants could be held before being sent back to their countries of origin.

Athens says the plan is part of Europe’s tougher approach to migration returns.

Opposition parties reacted angrily after former migration minister Makis Voridis asked whether migrant boats should be sunk, although he later said Greece must stay within international law.

Analysts say the government is under pressure from far-right parties demanding tougher border controls.