The livestock farmer who was elected MEP with Greek Solution

Seeking to acquaint ourselves with the retired livestock farmer who is among the 21 MEPs who will represent Greece in the European Parliament, we visited Toula Alexandrakis' butcher shop in Alexandroupoli, northeastern Greece. Fortunately for us, she had defied the terrible heat and opened the business as usual, and was waiting for her son to come and take over before the morning rush. Sitting in a chair watching TV, she was surrounded by photographs of her children and grandson, and a multitude of saints.

Hours earlier, this 76-year-old, apron-clad grandmother had been in Brussels, formally accepting her seat at the European Union's main legislative body. A passer-by popped in to say hi and ask about her trip. "How's it going Toula?" he asked. "Are you leaving us for Strasbourg?" "I'll only go when I'm needed; to fight for us," she replied, with some hesitation. The news...