ATHENS — Government spokesperson Aristotelia Peloni on Wednesday described the incidents that occurred in the Athens district of Nea Smyrni on Tuesday night as "sad and divisive".

"I find it inconceivable that such marches are organised in the midst of a pandemic, at a time when we have a massive spread of the virus and our health workers are fighting an immense battle in the national health system. I consider it disrespectful. I find it even more inconceivable that [main opposition SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance leader Alexis] Tsipras has not yet commented on what happened yesterday. Especially given that SYRIZA's youth were clearly calling on people to join this march, in which we all saw and it was apparent who else participated," she stressed.

Asked whether the Tuesday's events may conceal an orchestrated destabilisation plan, Peloni replied: "I believe that SYRIZA and Mr. Tsipras are stoking social tension, unfortunately banking with the greatest irresponsibility on the mental exhaustion, rage and fatigue in part of society with the restrictive measures."