Migrant issue looms large on 'weary' Samos for Greek election

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Migrant issue looms large on 'weary' Samos for Greek election

Author: Chantal Valery | yahoo.com | 26 June 2019

Less than two kilometres from the Turkish coast, Samos is one of a clutch of Greek islands thrust to the forefront of the 2015 migration crisis (AFP Photo/Louisa Gouliamaki)

When night falls on the Aegean island of Samos, scores of migrants leave the filthy camp above the island capital of Vathi for some fresh harbour air.

Many locals are not happy to see them. And after years of cohabitation, the migrant issue looms large over national elections on July 7.

"Samos used to be very calm and very clean, and now there's garbage and the stench of urine everywhere," says Anna Loukazaki, a painter who runs her own boutique at Vathi.

The island is "very weary" of the migrants, she adds. Read more>>>