PM rejects SYRIZA interim leader over conviction

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis told parliament Wednesday that he does not recognize Nikos Pappas, the head of the leftist SYRIZA parliamentary group as a legitimate opponent due to his conviction by Greek justice and opted to skip his speech in parliament, during a political leaders' debate.

"Some people wondered why I did not attend the speech of the leader of the SYRIZA party. I want to be absolutely clear, I do not recognize as the leader of the opposition a politician convicted of misconduct by a vote of 13 - 0 by a special court," Mitsotakis said.   

Mitsotakis went on to say that he would leave Parliament every time Nikos Pappas spoke, until SYRIZA elects a permanent leader.

The Prime Minister returned to Parliament as soon as Nikos Androulakis, the recently re-elected leader of the socialist PASOK, took the podium to speak, signaling that he now...