Makis Voridis

Makis Voridis
Μάκης Βορίδης
Voridis in 2019
Minister for Migration and Asylum
In office
15 March 2025 – 27 June 2025
Prime MinisterKyriakos Mitsotakis
Preceded byDimitris Kairidis
Succeeded byThanos Plevris
Minister of the State
In office
27 June 2023 – 15 March 2025
Prime MinisterKyriakos Mitsotakis
Preceded byVassilios Skouris
Minister for the Interior
In office
5 January 2021 – 23 April 2023
Prime MinisterKyriakos Mitsotakis
Preceded byTakis Theodorikakos
Succeeded byCalliope Spanou
Minister for Rural Development and Food
In office
9 July 2019 – 5 January 2021
Prime MinisterKyriakos Mitsotakis
Preceded byStavros Arachovitis
Succeeded bySpilios Livanos
Minister for Health
In office
10 June 2014 – 27 January 2015
Prime MinisterAntonis Samaras
Preceded byAdonis Georgiadis
Succeeded byPanagiotis Kouroumblis (Health and Social Security)
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Networks
In office
11 November 2011 – 17 May 2012
Prime MinisterLucas Papademos
Preceded byGiannis Ragousis
Succeeded bySimos Simopoulos
Personal details
Born (1964-08-23) 23 August 1964
Athens, Kingdom of Greece
Political partyNew Democracy (2012–present)
Popular Orthodox Rally (2005–2012)
Hellenic Front (1994–2005)
National Political Union (1984–1990)
SpouseDanae Michelakos
ChildrenΤitos; Lela
Alma materUniversity of Athens
University College London

Mavroudis (Makis) Voridis (Greek: Μαυρουδής (Μάκης) Βορίδης; born 1964) is a Greek lawyer and politician with the New Democracy. He was previously involved in far-right politics[1][2][3] and associated with dictator Georgios Papadopoulos.[4]

A member of the Hellenic Parliament since 2011, Voridis previously served as Minister for Migration and Asylum (2025), and Minister of the State (2023 - 2025) in the Second Cabinet of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Minister for the Interior (2021 - 2023), and Minister for Rural Development and Food (2019 - 2021) in the First Cabinet of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Minister for Health in the Cabinet of Antonis Samaras (2014–2015), and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Networks in the Cabinet of Lucas Papademos (2011–2012).

Early life and education

Makis Voridis was born in Athens on 23 August 1964 and has one brother, Konstantinos. His father, Christos, had served in the National Army during the Civil War. His uncle was Eutychios Voridis, a renown professor of cardiology.[5]

Voridis graduated from Athens College, where he was active in the far-right student organisation "Free Students",[6][7] and acquired his degree in the Law School of the University of Athens. During his time at the University of Athens, he was the leader of the far-right student group "Student Alternative" on account of which he was expelled from the students' union.[8] He has subsequently rejected any connection with far-right politics and, in an interview toThe Guardian, denied all allegations of crypto-fascism, antisemitism, or homophobia, describing himself as a national liberal with a right-wing activist background as a student.[1][9]

Voridis studied at University College London wherefrom he acquired his Master of Laws with merit, with specialty in international commercial law, criminal law, and the philosophy of law.

Political career

Far-right activism and politics

In 1985, Voridis was appointed secretary general of the youth wing of the National Political Union (EPEN),[1] a far-right political party founded by the jailed former dictator Georgios Papadopoulos, leader of the 1967 military coup. Voridis succeeded in the youth leadership Nikolaos Michaloliakos, who went on to lead Golden Dawn, and remained in that position until 1990.[10]

During his military service from 1992 to 1993, Voridis graduated class leader in Armour School and served as an Armour Cadet Reserve Officer, with the rank of second lieutenant.[10]

In 1994, he founded was elected president of the far-right Hellenic Front party, whose motto was "Red Card to Illegal Immigrants". He unsuccessfully ran for Athens mayor in 1998 and 2002. In the national elections of 2000, he ran without success together with fascist Konstantinos Plevris.[11] In the next general election, in 2004, the Front gathered only approximately 7 thousand votes or 0.1% of the total, and, within a year, ceased its political activity and merged with the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) party, with Voridis becoming member of the LAOS leading council.[12]

In the 2006 local elections, Voridis later ran in the LAOS ticket for East Attica and, after gaining 5% of the vote, was elected prefectural councillor. On 16 September 2007, running with the LAOS ticket, he was elected Member of the Greek Parliament, with 8,663 direct votes in the Attica district.

Parliamentary career and government

In November 2011, after the outbreak of the Greek government-debt crisis, Voridis was appointed Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, and Networks in the coalition government headed by Lucas Papademos.

In February 2012, after the introduction in the Parliament of the bill enacting the second bailout package, Voridis, dissenting from the LAOS line, came out in support of the bill and was expelled from the party, though he retained his portfolio after consultations with the prime minister.[13][14] A few days later, he joined New Democracy and surrendered his parliamentary seat to LAOS.[15][16] As Minister, Voridis proceeded to open up to competition professional sectors such as drivers, a measure he had previously opposed.[17]

On 10 June 2014, Voridis was appointed Minister for Health by prime minister Antonis Samaras.[18] His appointment was reportedly[19] criticised by members of the Greek Jewish community. Voridis served as chief parliamentary representative of the New Democracy party during the period 2012-24.[20]

On 9 July 2019, he was appointed Minister for Rural Development and Food in the cabinet of New Democracy leader and prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.[21] A senior Israeli diplomat stated to the Jerusalem Post that Israel will not work with the new minister. World Jewish Congress head Ronald Lauder issued a statement after the election saying that prime minister Mitsotakis "is a true ally of Israel and has always demonstrated deep support and friendship for the Jewish community in Greece," and pointing out the "need to eradicate any and all remnants of antisemitism and neo-Nazi ideology from within the country."[22]

On 5 January 2021, he was appointed Minister for the Interior,[23] a position he held until 23 April 2023. On 27 June 2023, he assumed the portfolio of Minister of the State.[24]

On 15 March 2025, he was sworn in as Minister for Migration and Asylum.[25] In 2025, he introduced a bill aimed at "tightening" the country’s immigration framework that will introduce stricter measures for migrants who remain in the country illegally after being denied asylum. He pointed[26] to the "broader shift in European migration policy":

In the past, there was the illusion that benefits and integration policies would solve the problem. This has collapsed. Europe has changed its strategy. Now the priority is effective border security and the return of illegal immigrants.

On 27 June 2025, Voridis resigned as Minister for Migration and Asylum amid the OPEKEPE scandal involving mismanagement of EU subsidies for agriculture between 2019 and 2022 by the managing agency OPEKEPE.[27][28]

On gay marriage

Same-sex marriage was legalized in Greece on 16 February 2024, when the relevant legislation was signed into law,[29] after being approved in parliament by 175 votes supporting it, 77 opposing it, 46 abstentions, and 2 declarations of being present. During the parliamentary debate on the legislation,[n 1] which was submitted by the recently re-elected New Democracy government, Voridis expressed his opposition, citing the ostensible need to first redefine constitutionally the institution of marriage, and abstained from the vote.[30] Twenty-one MPs from the New Democracy ruling party voted against the bill, while thirty-one, including Voridis, abstained from the vote. The majority of opposition MPs voted in support of it.[31] Greece, thus, became the 16th European Union country[31] and the first Christian Orthodox-majority country to legalize same-sex marriage.[29]

On antisemitism

Voridis has admitted his many years of coexistence with anti-Semites, but declared that he is "pro-Israel" and that he has never been an anti-Semite. In 2019, he visited the Jewish Museum of Greece, where he spoke about the history of "Greek Jews and their constant presence in Greece since ancient times". On behalf of the museum, the general secretary of the Central Israeli Council, Victor Eliezer, welcomed Voridis "as a friend of the Jewish people and the Israeli community in Greece".[32]

Personal life

Voridis was married to Zoe Rapti, who went on to enter politics as a New Democracy member of parliament and Deputy Minister for Health. After their divorce, he married Danae Michelakou, in 2005. They have two children, son Titos (b. 2007) and daughter Lela (b. 2013).[33] Best man at their wedding was then-Front National prominent cadre Carl Lang.[34]

Notes

  1. ^ In the 300-member Parliament of Greece, a simple majority of 151 supporting votes was required.

References

  1. ^ a b c Smith, Helena (16 December 2011). "Rise of the Greek far right raises fears of further turmoil". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  2. ^ Aslanidis, Paris (May 2022). "Review: The Far Right in Greece, 1965–2018 by Vassiliki Georgiadou". Journal of Modern Greek Studies. 40 (1): 223–227. doi:10.1353/mgs.2022.0018. ISSN 1086-3265. S2CID 248500002.
  3. ^ Bali, Kiki (17 October 2021). "Golden Dawn is down, but far right rises again in Greece". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  4. ^ Baboulias, Yiannis (15 February 2018). "The Far Right Is a Growing Threat in Greece". The Nation. ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  5. ^ Kokkinos, Dionyssios (16 February 2025). "In Memoriam: Ευτύχιος Βορίδης" [In Memoriam: Eutychios Voridis] (PDF). National Cardiology Review (in Greek). National Cardiology Society: 320–24. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  6. ^ Triantis, Vangelis (22 October 2018). "Οι στενές σχέσεις της οικογένειας Βορίδη με τον φασισμό" [The close ties of trhe Voridis family with fascism]. Documento (in Greek). Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  7. ^ Sabby Mionis (6 March 2012). "Israel must fight to keep neo-Nazis out of Greece's government". Haaretz. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  8. ^ Demetis, Christos (27 January 2015). "Όταν ο Κατρούγκαλος διέγραφε τον Βορίδη από τον Σύλλογο Φοιτητών της Νομικής" [When Katrougalos expelled Voridis from the Law School students' union]. News247 (in Greek). Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  9. ^ "Μάκης Βορίδης, Ακροδεξιός εγώ; Απλώς εθνικοφιλελεύθερος" [Makis Voridis, far-right, me? Simply national liberal]. To Vima (in Greek). 12 September 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  10. ^ a b Deliyannis, Andreas (11 October 2014). "Μάκης Βορίδης: Σολίστας πάσης Δεξιάς" [Makis Voridis: a soloist for every Right]. The Toc (in Greek). Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  11. ^ Mionis, Sabby (10 June 2012). "Greece's Jewish voters are faced with an impossible choice". Haaretz. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  12. ^ Kambylis, Takis (17 October 2007). "Dancing with Greece's extreme right". Kathimerini. Athens. Archived from the original on 14 February 2009. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  13. ^ ""Ναι" στο Μνημόνιο από 199 βουλευτές και "όχι" από 74" ['Yes' to the memorandum from 199 MPs and 'No' from 74]. To Vima (in Greek). Athens. 13 February 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  14. ^ "Χωρίς ανασχηματισμό η κυβέρνηση – Παραμένει ο Βορίδης" [No reshuffle in the government - Voridis stays]. To Vima (in Greek). Athens. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  15. ^ "Προσχώρησαν στη Ν.Δ. οι Μ. Βορίδης και Αδ. Γεωργιάδης" [M. Voridis and Ad. Georgiadis join N.D.]. To Vima (in Greek). Athens. 17 February 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  16. ^ "Παρέδωσαν τις έδρες τους στο ΛΑΟΣ Μ. Βορίδης και Αδ. Γεωργιάδης" [M. Voridis and Ad. Georgiadis surrender their seats to LAOS]. To Vima (in Greek). Athens. 17 February 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  17. ^ V.D. (16 November 2011). "Greece's government: Divided they stand". The Economist. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  18. ^ "Υπουργός Υγείας". Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  19. ^ "Greek Jews rap appointment of rightist Makis Voridis as health minister". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  20. ^ "Μάκης Βορίδης: Ο νέος υπουργός Επικρατείας" [Makis Voridis: the new Minister of the State]. Liberal (in Greek). 26 June 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  21. ^ "Staikouras finance minister, Dendias foreign minister in Mitsotakis government". 8 July 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  22. ^ Keinon, Herb (11 July 2019). "Israel will shun new Greek minister with antisemitic past". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  23. ^ "Greece Announces Cabinet Reshuffle for 'More Effectiveness'". Greek Travel Pages. 4 January 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  24. ^ "New ministerial cabinet announced". 26 June 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  25. ^ "Greek Government Reshuffle: Key Changes and Departures". 14 March 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  26. ^ "Gov't to tighten immigration laws, says migration minister". Kathimerini. 6 May 2025. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  27. ^ "5 Greek government officials resign over EU farming subsidy fraud allegations". AP News. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
  28. ^ "Top ministers resign over OPEKEPE scandal". Kathimerini. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
  29. ^ a b "Greece legalises same-sex marriage". BBC. 15 February 2024. Archived from the original on 15 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  30. ^ "Γάμος ομοφύλων: Ο Βορίδης θέτει ζήτημα συνταγματικότητας" [Gay marriage: Makis Voridis raises the issue of constitutionality]. Protagon (in Greek). 26 January 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
  31. ^ a b "Γάμος ομόφυλων ζευγαριών: Με 175 «ναι» πέρασε τελικά το νομοσχέδιο" [Gay couples' marriage: With 175 «Ayes» the bill eventually passed]. Naftemporiki (in Greek). 16 February 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
  32. ^ "Eπίσκεψη Μάκη Βορίδη στο Εβραϊκό Μουσείο Ελλάδος" [Makis Voridis visit to the Jewish Museum of Greece]. Ελεύθερος Τύπος (in Greek). 22 July 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
  33. ^ Stamati, Sasha (29 September 2021). "Ο Βορίδης Jr διαπρέπει στο θαλάσσιο σκι" [Makis Voridis Jr excels in water ski]. Parapolitika (in Greek). Retrieved 11 June 2025.
  34. ^ Moutsiou, Stella (12 September 2024). "Μάκης Βορίδης: Είναι μαζί 22 χρόνια αλλά τη βλέπουμε σπάνια – Οι τρυφερές αγκαλιές στους δρόμους της Αθήνας με την σύζυγό του" [Makis Voridis: They are together 22 years but we rarely see her - Tender embrace with his wife in the streets of Athens]. You Weekly (in Greek). Retrieved 11 June 2025.
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