Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister and government spokesman, Pavlos Marinakis, responded today to a journalist’s question during the regular press briefing, regarding social media comments about Greece’s recent bronze medal victory at EuroBasket 2025 and references linking the government’s legislation to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s participation in the National Team. “This is cheap opposition politics and criticism that is out of place and time,” emphasized Mr. Marinakis, pointing out that those claiming “under the current government’s laws and Mr. Plevrís’ policies, Giannis would never have played for the National Team” are wrong and spreading misinformation.
The government spokesman clarified that the government’s law, under the supervision of Health Minister Thanos Plevrís, exclusively concerns illegal immigrants attempting to enter the country illegally and abolishes provisions that legalized the stay of illegal immigrants after seven years. “It has nothing to do with Greek citizens like Giannis Antetokounmpo and his family,” he said.
Antetokounmpo as a symbol
Pavlos Marinakis emphasized that Giannis Antetokounmpo has become a symbol of Greece and Greek sports, not only for his medals and achievements, but for the example he sets. “His family was born in Greece, worked hard, studied, and is fully integrated into Greek society,” he stated.
In his intervention, the government spokesman denounced the use of Antetokounmpo by political parties for sensationalism as a sign of desperation and obsession. As he emphasized, the Antetokounmpo family “belongs to Greece and Greek society, and the government along with all citizens must support and embrace them.”
Protecting the country’s interests
Pavlos Marinakis reiterated that the government takes legislative measures to protect the country’s interests and its citizens. “Connecting the success of a national athletic symbol with laws concerning illegal immigration is an action without any basis,” he concluded.
The entire statement by Mr. Marinakis reinforces the message that the political opposition must respect both the laws and national symbols, without using them for cheap political confrontations.
