ATHENS – A Member of the European Parliament for the major opposition SYRIZA – Nikos Pappas – should be expelled from the party for insulting a police officer online, the ruling New Democracy said as a war of words has intensified between the rivals.

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis called for the ouster of Pappas over a private Instagram conversation in which Pappas appeared to make offensive remarks against a police officer was leaked online.

“In a normal party, his expulsion would go without saying. Such behaviors have no place in our democracy,” said Marinakis, adding that the alleged misbehavior was not becoming a representative of Greece in the European Parliament.

Marinakis said SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis should remove Pappas – who was convicted in a TV licensing sale scheme when the party was in power but wasn’t jailed – but got no answer.

“Mr. Kasselakis, there’s no need for many words in such cases, just the obvious decision of expulsion. We await your response,” he added. He still is and Pappas used Instagram to complain the police officer had insulted him and his family.

“I respect and recognize the security forces, they know this themselves from private conversations we’ve had. But I will not accept any far-right troll or fascist insulting me and my family.” said Pappas.

He said the real reason for the attack on him was for New Democracy to distract attention over wildfires that reached an Athens neighborhood and killed a woman, a factory worker. “It would be better for those at the Maximos Mansion to deal with more serious matters. People are burning, dying,” he said.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was due to visit the Penteli area where the fire again burned trees on the famous mountain there and Marinakis said it would be better for Kasselakis to offer proposals, not shoot off on social media.

“Has Mr. Kasselakis, in any of the dozens of announcements/postings he has made in a few days, wondered why the Prime Minister  will visit the afflicted areas … with relevant ministers and local government officials?”

OH YEAH? YEAH!

He said it was a logical question for “a party leader who sees a visit as a photo-op or video-op” and who acts in general “like a wandering influencer,” added Marinakis, although going to the fire scene will bring a bevy of photographers for Mitsotakis.

Marinakis said the visit had to come after registration of damage, inspections and cost assessments of private and environmental damage, and preparatory work that could lead to a comprehensive plan to provide the best solutions for citizens.

“It would be a lot more useful for Greece and the residents of fire-afflicted areas to have a main opposition party that would table specific – and mainly costed – proposals instead of having a leader who keeps posting on social media as easily as he breathes,” he said.

He added: “If anything, when anyone searches for the latest SYRIZA program for the European elections, they will not find half a sentence on managing the climate crisis and further enhancing civil protection,” taking another shot.

SYRIZA had criticized the government for what it said was a lack of fire protection and prevention, commenting that “the executive state’ is a failed advertising slogan for a long time.”

Kasselakis though hasn’t mentioned that
when SYRIZA was in power under them premier and party leader Alexis Tsipras that the government didn’t have a disaster response plan, largely blamed on 104 people dying in July 23, 2018 wildfires.

SYRIZA stated that a study by the Paris-based which country “delayed in absorbing EU funds for forest protection projects,” that it was Greece and that funds for tahe Forestry Service had been cut.

“For the fire protection of the country, the government of Mitsotakis did nothing other than communication tricks and shows, even though there were specific findings and warnings,” the Leftists said.

“It is confirmed once again that Mitsotakis’ government excels only in propaganda and covering up its responsibilities … not only for what it does and for what it fails to do. Not just because it never takes any responsibility,” but “because its DNA is made up of nothing but arrogance, sarcasm, and a lack of empathy.”