Scenes of chaos unfolded during the session of the Parliament’s Ethics Committee as tensions reached a boiling point. The central figure was the leader of Plefsi Eleftherias (Course of Freedom), Zoe Konstantopoulou, who launched a verbal attack against female MPs from the ruling New Democracy party, while eyewitnesses reported that ND’s national list MP Ioanna Lytrivi broke down in tears.
Read also: Konstantopoulou clashes with Xanthopoulos in the Institutions Committee over a treat: “While a cover-up is underway, you want to hand out sweets” — “For God’s sake” (Photos)
Konstantopoulou to Lytrivi: “You have a conflict of interest because you’re friends with Syreggela!”
It all began when the leader of Plefsi Eleftherias shouted: “Stop this bullying!” “Instead of standing their ground, female MPs are putting up with all of this!” Konstantopoulou remarked, before turning her attention specifically to Ioanna Lytrivi and exclaiming: “You have a conflict of interest because you’re friends with Syreggela!” At that moment, the New Democracy MP burst into tears. “The fact that you are friends with Ms. Syreggela does not justify this behavior!” Zoe Konstantopoulou added, addressing the Ethics Committee chair Giorgos Georganta. “Nobody is being intimidated, Madam President! Nobody! I speak the way I am spoken to!” he fired back sharply.
At the same time, a second verbal confrontation erupted, this time between Dimitris Kairidis and Plefsi Eleftherias national list MP Alexandros Kazamias, who accused the New Democracy parliamentary spokesperson of making an offensive gesture implying he was “crazy.”
The heated exchange between the two MPs could be heard outside room 223, where the session was taking place:
Alexandros Kazamias: He’s gesturing that I’m crazy! You will speak respectfully!
Dimitris Kairidis: Don’t point your finger at me! He’s being abusive, Mr. President!
Alexandros Kazamias: You’re calling me crazy!
Dimitris Kairidis: You’re pointing your finger!
Alexandros Kazamias: I will file a complaint against you! Your behavior is unacceptable!
Dimitris Kairidis: You’re being a bully!
Alexandros Kazamias: Me, a bully? Have you no shame?
The incident continued into the parliamentary corridor, in front of stunned journalists, with Mr. Kazamias shouting at Mr. Kairidis: “I won’t let you get away with that crazy gesture you made at me!”
In recent weeks, the Ethics Committee has been dealing with matters concerning Ms. Konstantopoulou, as several case files compiled against her are currently under review. Today’s session, however, focused on complaints filed against Ms. Konstantopoulou for alleged anti-parliamentary conduct during the OPEKEPE parliamentary inquiry committee — complaints submitted by Andreas Nikolakopoulos and Maria Syreggela, who were serving on its presiding board.
It is worth noting that the committee, with votes from New Democracy MPs only, recommended that Zoe Konstantopoulou be censured for anti-parliamentary conduct and referred the matter to the Speaker of Parliament for further action. Konstantopoulou described the proceedings as “unconstitutional” and “unprecedented,” claiming they were being driven by New Democracy. “Not even for Floros, who sent Grammenos to the hospital, was this procedure ever initiated!” she charged, in a conversation with parliamentary correspondents. The turbulent Ethics Committee session continues, as beyond the discussion of the two ND MPs’ complaints, a defamation lawsuit filed against Zoe Konstantopoulou by businessman Achilleas Ntavelis also remains pending.
