'Greece wants a European solution for illegal immigration'

Greeks are in favour of a stronger Europe, even though they have no specific idea of what that means, says Loukas Tsoukalis, president of the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy.

In the run-up to the European elections, what issues are being debated in Greece?

"I'm afraid that Greece is no exception to other European countries. The debate here is almost exclusively national. We have a very difficult political climate because of recent corruption scandals. Like during the heavy riots last year, the left-wing opposition is calling for early national elections and the European vote is seen as a trial for national politics. The most popular parties have experienced European politicians, but those do not dominate the debate. National politicians are in the forefront debating the scandals and how Greece is handling the economic crisis.

"The most important European issue that is being discussed is migration in general and illegal immigration in particular. The Greeks feel overwhelmed. Last year over 150,000 illegal immigrants came to Europe via Greece, mainly because our coastline is impossible to defend. People here want a European solution for that."

A key issue in European politics is market ideology, especially with the financial crisis. Is there debate about whether the market ideology of Brussels needs to be amended?

Oh yes, definitely. You can not separate that from the national debate. In ideological terms, the debate in Greece has always been dominated by the left. That has been reinforced due to the economical crisis. People want a stronger policy within the eurozone and they are critical of too much liberalisation."

Has the support for the EU changed over the past few years? Is there a lot of euroscepticism?

"The level of support for the European Union in Greece remains very high, there is not much protest against the union. The Communist Party has always been against it, but they only have about 6 percent of the votes. Another leftist party that has always been pro-EU is now divided on the issue, but it too only gets 6 percent of the vote. All in all it would mean that about 10 percent of the Greek voters are sceptical about the EU. The other parties, including the major ones, are in favour of the European Union, and I believe that reflects the general view of the public very well.

"There are different reasons why Greeks are pro-Europe. First of all, they feel more secure, geographically, within Europe, because this can be a unstable region. And secondly, Greece has clearly benefited from European subsidies and the introduction of the euro. For most Greeks, there is really no alternative for European politics."

How would votes in Greece like the EU to develop itself? More powerful foreign policy? Are they in favour of the Lisbon Treaty?

"In general people are in favour of more Europe and a stronger Europe, without being very consistent in their ideas. They want the EU to develop as a strong global power, and see it as a disappointment that the EU is not stronger at this moment. Greek people are also in favour of a strong social dimension, a bit like the French, also without knowing or explaining what that social role of the EU should be.

"About the Lisbon Treaty: I think Greeks do not really know what the treaty would change; they only have a vague idea about it."

Could you name an incident or anecdote that captures the atmosphere around the European elections?

"Not really one particular incident. The most crucial thing is that politicians are discussing Greek scandals that have nothing to do with Europe."