New Citizens’ Protection Minister promises security for all in Greece

ATHENS – New Citizens’ Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis, charged with restoring law-and-order and confront anarchists dominating a neighborhood in Greece’s capital, said he would make the country secure.
He had been a member of the center-left Movement for Change (KINAL) when new Prime Minister and New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis tapped him for the position, leading him to be ousted by his former party.
It was also a symbolic move by Mitsotakis as while Chrysochoidis was at the ministry overseeing citizens protection ahead of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, the notorious Nov. 17 terrorist gang was broken up.
One of the leaders of that group, Dimitris Koufodinas, serving 11 life sentences for his role in the murders of 23 people, including 11 attached to the US Embassy over the years, had been handled with kid gloves under SYRIZA, getting seven furloughs from jail and moved from a high-security prison to a low-security work farm.
One of the last moves of former Prime Minister and Radical Left SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras ahead of the July 7 snap elections he lost to Mitsotakis was to have a Parliament essentially empty of anyone but his members pass a law paving the way for Koufodinas and other terrorist killers to get out of jail for house arrest.
Mitsotakis said he would change laws giving leniency to violent criminals and that task was put in Chrysochoidis’ lap at the same time he will have to deal with Rouvikonas, the anarchist gang that rampaged with near-impunity when Tsipras was in office, the Leftists riddled with anarchist and terrorist sympathizers.
But Chrysochoidis said he would go beyond tough policing and would bring order to agencies whose chaotic response to the July 23, 2018 wildfires led to the loss of 103 lives amid reports Tsipras tried to hide the death count while the fires raged, including the devastation of the seaside village of Mati northeast of Athens.
“Security is the greatest asset. Without security, democracy rots. We are here to work with all our strength to build a feeling of security for citizens,” Chrysochoidis said at the ministry’s handover ceremony. “All people should feel that their neighborhood belongs to them,” he added.
While he was serving in the same position in 2009-10, six suspected members of Revolutionary Struggle were arrested and he’s known as a no-nonsense guy who demands attention to duty.
He was also put in charge of the Migration Policy Ministry, saying that’s in line with the practice of other European Union countries as well.
Moving swiftly, he told Greek Police (ELAS) chief Gen. Aristidis Andrikopoulos and his deputy to quit, which they did. Andrikopoulos had been seen attending SYRIZA rallies before the election, drawing ire from New Democracy at the time.
Andrikopoulos, in civilian clothes, was spotted at the SYRIZA gatherings, chatting with ministers and officials of the party. He had been appointed by Tsipras.
Chrysochoidis’ predecessor, Olga Gerovassili, charged that the new government views police as “spoils,” while warning of “coming revanchist attacks by the new right,” after her party ironically had been accused of condoning attacks by the left.
Read more at thenationalherald.com
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Jebulon
- 1) University path for A.S.T.E. graduates: Joint Ministerial Decree paves the way for higher studies in tourism
- 2) Government delegation to visit Ierapetra on Monday
- 3) Apostolos Tzitzikostas: The key role of Regions and Municipalities for the future of European tourism
- 4) Ministry of Tourism: Coordination Group on fraud and corruption issues
19/07 15:25
19/07 14:24
Discount Night in Arta | Three-Day Celebration with Sales, Music, and Activities for All
19/07 11:10
19/07 08:16
Giannis Retsos: 2026 May Be the First Year of Declining Tourism Revenue in Greece
19/07 07:20
Scarlet Beach: Presidential Decree Approved by Council of State
19/07 06:37
How Karpathos, Lipsi and Sifnos secure water | TN report on the 3 Municipalities
18/07 22:52
18/07 22:43
Kefalogianni’s Proposal for a Visa for Visitors to Multiple EU Countries
18/07 14:59
18/07 14:04
SANI FESTIVAL | Spectacular Opening with the Sold-Out Concert of the Buena Vista All Stars
18/07 12:12
Olympus Festival 2025 – Pieria’s Cultural Tourism in the Spotlight
18/07 12:08
National information campaign for the protection of the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus
18/07 11:14
Mayor Introduces Cabo: Its Second 5-Star Resort in Corfu in Just One Month
18/07 07:31
Alexandrou Chora | The Project That Aims to Redefine Strategic Investments
18/07 07:28
18/07 07:23
18/07 07:20
Conference on the challenges and prospects of tourism in Ilia
18/07 07:18
Municipality of Mykonos Condemns Illegal Construction Activities During Tourist Season
18/07 06:39
18/07 06:36
"Mikis Theodorakis" Orchestra in Galatas, Chania – Free Admission
18/07 06:34
North Aegean Region: Conference on the Archaeological Monuments of Lesvos
17/07 23:24
17/07 23:04
17/07 21:55
HCAA | Inspection for upgrade projects at Milos Airport – Defibrillator Donation by an Employee
17/07 20:21
17/07 15:11
Municipality of Athens: Crackdown on Illegal Outdoor Seating in Kolonaki
17/07 14:55
IATA | The EU's targets for the use of sustainable fuels are "impossible to achieve"
17/07 14:47
HAA and HAPCO & DES welcome the concession of Tae Kwon Do to the Region
17/07 14:19
17/07 14:17
SETKE | Suspension of JMD on Swimming Pools – Discontent over Lack of Consultation
17/07 14:13
Britain: Inflation Rises to 3.6% – Cost of Living and Criticism Grow
17/07 13:52
Increase in arrivals and overnight stays in tourist accommodations in May 2025
17/07 13:24
17/07 11:44
Sitia: The double opportunity for tourist take-off with the signature of UNESCO
17/07 11:39
17/07 11:12
Tryp by Wyndham Lisboa Caparica Mar: Renovation with inspiration from the coast
17/07 10:47
National Geographic in Santorini: New Documentary on the Island’s Volcano, History and Mysteries
17/07 08:03
Zig Zag Festival in Tzoumerka: A Cultural Passage from Earth to Sky
17/07 08:00
Aegean Takes Off for India – Direct Flights Begin in 2026 with New Airbus XLR
17/07 07:58
17/07 07:53
Enhanced Accessibility at Mitsis Hotels in Rhodes, Kos, and Crete
17/07 07:51
South Rethymno: A steady summer attraction with 4,000 visitors per day in Plakias
17/07 07:49
17/07 07:18
17/07 07:16
17/07 07:08
Air Mediterranean: New connections to Berlin, Cologne and Vienna from Athens
17/07 07:06
17/07 00:29
16/07 19:52
Eurobank: The Greek tourism model is changing - Less revenue per visitor, more arrivals
16/07 17:15
More students at the Galaxidi School of Tourism Education | Sustainability step
16/07 16:45
16/07 16:41
16/07 15:33
French Transavia invests in Thessaloniki during the winter season
16/07 15:28
Norovirus on board: New case on cruise ship, cases on the rise in 2025
16/07 15:22
Ryanair | Fire on new strikes by French air traffic controllers and Ursula von “Derlayed-Again”
16/07 14:43
3,000 inspections of recreational vehicle rentals by the Coast Guard
16/07 14:38
16/07 14:02
How New Cruise Demographics Are Redefining the Impact on Destinations
16/07 11:45
Kivotos Santorini has joined the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts program
16/07 10:51
Sani/Ikos Group offers free holidays to children from "The Smile of the Child"
16/07 10:48
16/07 10:25
16/07 08:04
Etihad – SKY express agreement: Gateway to 24 Greek islands and 3 Mediterranean cities
16/07 08:02
Decisions for tourist shelters in Leros, Chalkidiki, Xiromero and Agia Anna
16/07 07:59
The major airlines that... disappoint – The three worst for 2025
16/07 07:56
16/07 07:53
Symi cries out for mass tourism – 3 euro fee for day visitors
16/07 07:17
16/07 07:15
Explosive increase in visitor numbers at the museums of Ancient Olympia and Delphi in March
16/07 07:13
Expedia: Which Mykonos? Which Santorini? This is the new favorite Greek island
16/07 07:10
Municipality of Limni Plastira: Decision for 6 + 3 years lease of the Mesenikola Guesthouse
16/07 07:07
16/07 06:22
M. Tsakalakis in TN | Tourist Crete seeks protection of its reputation - Concern over bookings
16/07 06:19
Municipality of Soufli: Network of hiking trails with fire protection function
15/07 20:08
Velvento Festival 2025: Cultural rendezvous in the nature of Kozani
15/07 16:06
15/07 15:16
HCAA | + 7.5% passenger traffic at 24 state airports in 6 months, +5.2% overall
15/07 15:11
Green light for 2 strategic investments, amounting to 163 million euros, in tourism
15/07 12:39
Germany | Flights more expensive in the first half of 2025, especially within Europe
15/07 12:32
2,300 young artists painted Hospitality | HCC Student Competition
15/07 12:23
V. Kikilias: Comprehensive master plan for the port of Mykonos
15/07 12:19
15/07 11:36
How much did rodent noise pollution cost a hotel in Crete? | German court ruling
15/07 10:53
Suspension of the GNTO Russia operation - Promotion in the USA via a TV series
15/07 10:51
15/07 10:48
15/07 10:42
15/07 08:24
Public campsites on the Superfund's agenda: Asprovalta takes its turn - Kriopigi follows
15/07 08:06
Municipality of Oichalia: Platform for the promotion of tourism and culture
15/07 08:02
Sounds of Rhodope: A musical retrospective of the multicultural heritage of Thrace
15/07 07:57
WAVErunning 2025: Running alongside the waves for clean beaches
15/07 07:17
The “sunbed battle” is still going strong – What psychology is behind it
15/07 07:14
Permits for floating platforms in front of hotels in Anavyssos and Chania
15/07 07:11
Reduction of the minimum distance from neighboring uses for a kart track in Malia
15/07 07:09
Yiannis Hatzis: The future of Greek tourism lies in small hotel businesses
15/07 06:21
Nikos Chalkiadakis in Tornos News: Crete cannot stand a migrant accommodation facility
15/07 01:36
14/07 19:34
Rhodes Hotel Association | Signing of a local CBA with 11% increases over three years
14/07 19:30
14/07 15:53
Hoteliers' Campaign | "Tourists, thank you for visiting Mallorca"
Scarlet Beach: Presidential Decree Approved by Council of State
Giannis Retsos: 2026 May Be the First Year of Declining Tourism Revenue in Greece
Discount Night in Arta | Three-Day Celebration with Sales, Music, and Activities for All
SANI FESTIVAL | Spectacular Opening with the Sold-Out Concert of the Buena Vista All Stars
How Karpathos, Lipsi and Sifnos secure water | TN report on the 3 Municipalities
Kefalogianni’s Proposal for a Visa for Visitors to Multiple EU Countries
Olympus Festival 2025 – Pieria’s Cultural Tourism in the Spotlight
Conference on the challenges and prospects of tourism in Ilia
Mayor Introduces Cabo: Its Second 5-Star Resort in Corfu in Just One Month
Alexandrou Chora | The Project That Aims to Redefine Strategic Investments
National information campaign for the protection of the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus
Municipality of Mykonos Condemns Illegal Construction Activities During Tourist Season
"Mikis Theodorakis" Orchestra in Galatas, Chania – Free Admission
Symi cries out for mass tourism – 3 euro fee for day visitors
My expensive Greece... | + 12% package prices for the British - Competitors are cheaper
Nikos Chalkiadakis in Tornos News: Crete cannot stand a migrant accommodation facility