Greek Parliament approves stricter asylum law

Greek MPs have approved a government bill aimed at easing pressure on the Aegean islands by speeding up asylum procedures and returns of migrants not meriting international protection to Turkey.
The bill was backed by MPs from New Democracy and the center-left Movement for Change alliance. SYRIZA, the Greek Communist Party (KKE), Greek Solution and Mera25 voted against.
The vote came after a tense day of debate in Parliament, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis clashing with SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras over their parties' respective approaches to the refugee problem, and following protests by human rights groups.
Addressing Parliament before the vote, Mitsotakis declared that Greece was acquiring "a clear and functional asylum system" that would protect refugees but would not "throw its gates wide open" to all.
"The asylum law gives a clear message: Those...