Members of the Greek Left Alliance (ELAS) have spoken out against what they described as “vileness and toxicity” — a calculated effort, they say, to help New Democracy escape its mounting internal party problems, which are growing more difficult by the day due to the presence of Antonis Samaras. Their remarks came in response to Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis’ aggressive attack on former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
Georgiadis launched an unprecedented assault on Tsipras, claiming that he “received money to vote in favor of the Penal Codes.” He went further, stating: “Mr. Kontonis, his Justice Minister, declared that he received money to vote for the Penal Codes. And that is the only logical explanation for why, having called elections for June 26, he pushed them back to July 7. He can sue me if he wants. Tsipras is the most corrupt politician of the post-junta era, and Mitsotakis simply never went after him.”
At ELAS headquarters on Amalias Avenue, party officials believe the government is pursuing this tactic for three main reasons:
- First, the reemergence of Antonis Samaras is creating a serious headache for the government, as the former prime minister knows exactly how to challenge the Maximos Mansion and expose government officials.
- Second, Alexis Tsipras’ core narrative as an honest politician is clearly resonating with the public — particularly at a time when the government is under scrutiny over a series of scandals. This is precisely why Georgiadis attempted to dismantle the image of the Greek Left Alliance’s leader.
- Third, given that security issues remain the government’s strongest card, New Democracy is trying to link Tsipras to terrorism-related matters. Party Secretary Kostas Kyranakis last week accused the ELAS leader of the tactics he employed in the past when handling terrorism cases.
The same party officials described the government’s conduct as “an organized smear campaign against its main political opponent, Alexis Tsipras,” stressing that “first they accused Alexis Tsipras of being a friend of terrorists, then a protector of imprisoned criminals, and today an dishonest prime minister who legislated on demand.” ELAS declared firmly: “We will not follow the path of vileness and toxicity, no matter how much we are provoked.”
With a touch of sarcasm, they also wished Prime Minister Mitsotakis “good luck untangling himself from the right-wing apartment block.” ELAS deputy spokesperson Anna Papadopoulou, addressing the Penal Codes allegations, noted that “the claims made by Mr. Kontonis had already been investigated through an ex officio judicial inquiry, and the case was archived.” She added that government officials selectively reference court decisions only when those rulings happen to suit their own political narrative.
Papadopoulou also reminded the public that not long ago, Adonis Georgiadis himself described Alexis Tsipras as one of the most brilliant politicians of his generation. She emphasized that “in Greek society, if Alexis Tsipras is known for anything, it is his integrity — and unfortunately, statements like those made by Mr. Georgiadis only reveal their panic.” She concluded by noting: “We are up against a government mired in scandals and corruption, with 44 of its officials implicated, as was highlighted in yesterday’s press conference. For those who are themselves knee-deep in scandals to be wagging their finger about integrity is, frankly, a little obscene.”
