There are moments in the European Parliament when political language abandons generalities and becomes direct, harsh and often divisive. The Slovak MEP Milan Mazurka, member of the “Europe of Sovereign Nations” Group and the Hnutie Republika party, is one of the voices that often chooses this line. The official archive of the European Parliament records his repeated interventions on both immigration and issues that directly concern Hellenism and the Armenian people.
For a media outlet of the Greek Diaspora, however, the aim is not to uncritically adopt the political positions of any MEP. It is to do not let interventions concerning Greece, Hellenism and major European issues go unnoticedTo present them, to document them and to give the reader the opportunity to judge.
An intervention for Greeks and Armenians that is worth listening to
On 19 May 2026, the European Parliament held a special debate entitled "Memory of the Genocide of Armenians and Greeks in Pontus and Asia Minor".
Milan Mazurek was among the MEPs who took the floor.
The mere fact that a Slovak MEP chose to take a position in a debate that touches on one of the deepest historical wounds of Hellenism and Armenia is significant. The official recording of the European Parliament confirms that his intervention lasted approximately two and a half minutes, from 23:18:04 to 23:20:33.
Greek MEPs from different political groups, including Elisabeth Vosberg, Nikos Papandreou, Afroditi Latinopoulou, Emmanuel Frangos and Konstantinos Arvanitis, as well as MEPs from other countries, spoke in the same debate. Mazurek's participation shows that this historical issue does not concern the Greek delegation exclusively but can find voices beyond it.
This is of particular importance for the Greek diaspora. The preservation of historical memory cannot depend only on whether Greek politicians bring these issues to the European agenda. When MEPs from other states choose to participate in such discussions, the issue acquires a broader European dimension.
Immigration: the harshest side of his rhetoric
Even more characteristic is the way in which Mazurek positions himself on immigration.
On 21 January 2026, during the European Parliament debate on the return of migrants, visa policy and cooperation with third countries, he used extremely strong language. He stated that Europe must close and protect its borders, called for the immediate return of those who enter illegally and argued that foreigners who commit crimes or do not respect the laws should be deported.
His intervention was not a technical position on migration policy. It was an ideologically charged speech, with references even to “re-migration” and “population replacement.” These terms are part of a highly controversial political rhetoric in Europe and do not constitute a neutral description of demographic or migration data.
This is exactly what should distinguish reporting from political propaganda.
One may agree with the need for tighter control of external borders, faster returns of those not entitled to asylum, or more effective tackling of criminal trafficking networks. One may also strongly disagree with the language and generalisations used by politicians like Mazurek.
But migration is a real, big and difficult European issue. And frontline countries, like Greece, know much better than many central and northern European states what pressure on the Union's external borders means.
Greece is on the front line
For Greece, the discussion is not theoretical.
The Aegean Sea, Evros and the Greek islands have been entry points to the European Union for years. The country is simultaneously called upon to protect its borders, confront smuggling rings and uphold its obligations under European and international law for those seeking international protection.
Herein lies the difficulty of European migration policy: how are borders effectively protected without abolishing the right to asylum? How are those who are not entitled to stay returned without collective and illegal practices? And how is the burden truly shared among the 27 states so that Greece, Italy, Spain, Cyprus and Malta do not face a disproportionate share of the pressure?
These are the questions that Europe cannot resolve with slogans alone, whether they come from the hard right or from the opposite side of the political spectrum.
Speaking without fear – but also without immunity from criticism
Milan Mazurek has created strong reactions with his rhetoric. This should not be hidden. Nor should the fact that he speaks on issues that other politicians often approach with much more cautious language be hidden.
Democracy needs people who speak up.
But we also need journalism that examines what exactly are they saying, what is proven, where there is a political position and where there is a real fact.
Greek News & Radio FL will continue to bring important interventions from the European Parliament to the Greek Diaspora, regardless of the political party they come from. When an MEP speaks about Pontic Hellenism, about Armenians, about Greece or about such a crucial issue as immigration, their intervention is worth recording.
Not for us to decide what the reader should believe.
But so that information does not remain silent where Europe discusses issues that directly concern Hellenism.
Watch the official video
The European Parliament has available the full speech of Milan Mazurek in the debate of 19 May 2026 on the commemoration of the Armenian and Greek genocides of Pontus and Asia Minor. His speech begins at 23:18:04.
Watch Milan Mazurek's speech at the European Parliament
See the official minutes of his intervention on immigration
Official page of Milan Mazurek in the European Parliament
Image: European Parliament https://www.europarl.europa.eu/plenary/el/vod.html?internalEPId=2017076890106&mode=unit&providerMeetingId=20260519-0900-PLENARY&vodLanguage=EL#
