Pavlos Polakis Expelled from SYRIZA-PS

polakis

In a major political shake-up, Pavlos Polakis has been expelled from the SYRIZA-PS parliamentary group following a contentious incident during a Social Affairs Committee meeting concerning the Mental Health Bill.

The expulsion comes on the recommendation of SYRIZA-PS leader Stefanos Kasselakis and was executed by the parliamentary group chairman, Socrates Famellos. This decision reduces the SYRIZA-PS representation in Parliament to 35 MPs.

The incident occurred when Polakis aggressively addressed an associate of the Health Minister during his intervention, causing his colleague from SYRIZA, Athina Linou, to burst into tears. Polakis's remarks were harsh and personal, criticising the facial expression of the Health Minister's associate in a manner deemed highly inappropriate.

"Don't twist your face, madam. I'm telling you, you have a permanent, not a smile, a twist of the mouth in the form of apathy. It's irritating," Polakis said.

Athina Linou, visibly emotional, apologised on behalf of her colleague. "I want to personally apologize to the colleague who suffered this form of violence," Linou stated tearfully. "We cannot allow such behaviour, no matter who it comes from, to any woman or any man."

The incident sparked immediate backlash. Spyros Bibilas of Eleftherias Plevisi Eleftherias condemned the insult, emphasising the need for respect and decency in Parliament. Committee chairman George Stylios and ND MP Thanasis Papathanasis also expressed their disapproval, calling Polakis's behaviour unacceptable.

Stefanos Kasselakis, president of SYRIZA-PS, quickly reacted to the incident. After reviewing the video of Polakis’s statement and Linou’s reaction, Kasselakis convened with parliamentary leaders and recommended Polakis's removal. Socrates Famellos subsequently announced Polakis’s expulsion in the plenary session.

Famellos stated, "His behaviour did not correspond to our principles."

The President of the Greek Parliament, Konstantinos Tasoulas, announced a penalty of a half-salary cut for Polakis and issued a stern reprimand. "I am ashamed to have to deal with such colleagues. The boundaries were crossed today," Tasoulas declared, promising stricter measures if such behaviour continues.

Health Minister Adonis Georgiades and New Democracy spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis also condemned Polakis’s actions. Georgiades called for disciplinary measures, stating, "To bully a defenseless working woman to cry at work is unacceptable!"

The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum. PASOK - Movement for Change’s representative Paris Koukoulopoulos expressed deep regret and aligned with Tasoulas's measures. The Hellenic Solution party also issued a statement condemning inappropriate behaviour from any source.