Polakis

One of the prevailing illusions within SYRIZA during the leftist party's time in government was the belief that its rise and prominence in the political arena stemmed from an ideological and political transformation within Greek society. This transformation was expected to eventually sweep through Europe and shift the balance of power in favor of the Left.

Independent MP since yesterday afternoon is Chania MP Pavlos Polakis, as his verbal attack on a staff member of Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis resulted in his expulsion from the SYRIZA Parliamentary Group, dramatically changing the agenda and dynamics within the main opposition.

The Timeline of the Expulsion

It was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. Controversial MP and ex-minister Pavlos Polakis, notorious for his attacks on friend and foe alike, has behaved much worse than he did Thursday during a session of the Parliamentary Committee on Social Affairs.

In his address to the SYRIZA Parliamentary Group, party president Stefanos Kasselakis indirectly referenced the expulsion of MP Pavlos Polakis from the group, hinting at “tactical maneuvers and individual agendas.”

Konstantinos Tasoulas, the Speaker of the House, condemned Pavlos Polakis’ behavior as “repugnant, unacceptable, and disgusting” and announced a salary cut for the MP following the unprecedented incident in the Parliamentary Social Affairs Committee.

 Controversial SYRIZA MP Pavlos Polakis was expelled from the party's parliamentary group on Thursday by opposition leader Stefanos Kasselakis following an incident in parliament.

Nasos Iliopoulos responded to the attack launched by Pavlos Polakis against himself, Andreas Xanthos, and Alexis Tsipras in reference to their position on the vaccines

SYRIZA MP Pavlos Polakis criticized his former leader Alexis Tsipras over some of the remarks he made at a Kathimerini-sponsored conference Saturday.

In his remarks at the conference, Tsipras said that his government's management of the Novartis case (regarding allegations of bribery involving politicians and doctors) and the issuing of television licenses "was unfortunate."

Thousands of farmers from across Greece descended on Athens' Syntagma Squar central square on Tuesday, parking their tractors before parliament in their biggest protest yet over rising costs and livelihoods destroyed by extreme weather.

[Updated 8.45 p.m.]

Thousands of farmers with over 200 tractors from across Greece have assembled before Parliament on Syntagma Square over the impact of rising energy costs, competition from abroad and recent flooding.