Kairidis to Giannakopoulou: 'You Will Apologize, Lower Your Gaze and Say, Yes, Mr. Kairidis, You Are Right'

A fiery confrontation erupted on Action24 television between New Democracy MP Dimitris Kairidis and PASOK MP Nadia Giannakopoulou, highlighting the often-acrimonious nature of Greek political discourse. Kairidis launched a sharp attack on Giannakopoulou, accusing her of falsehoods and demanding a public admission of error, including an apology and a gesture of deference. This aggressive stance immediately drew a strong rebuke from Giannakopoulou.

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When you tell a lie, you will admit it. You will apologize, lower your gaze, and say, 'Yes, Mr. Kairidis, you are right.'

Giannakopoulou, visibly angered by Kairidis's tone and demands, rejected his assertions and questioned his behavior. She pointed out the irony of a government MP engaging in such personal attacks, especially when discussing pressing economic issues like Greece's 5.4% inflation rate. Her response underscored a broader criticism of the ruling party's perceived arrogance and a deflection from substantive policy debates.

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Apologize? Did you just tell me to lower my gaze? I have nothing else to say. We have a government MP who is gloating... instead of telling us why Greece has 5.4% inflation. The conversation ends here. I have nothing else to say!

The incident has escalated beyond the television studio, with PASOK issuing a formal statement demanding an explanation from New Democracy. The party condemned Kairidis's conduct as unacceptable and questioned the ruling party's own stance on political toxicity, given its public pronouncements against it. This public spat reflects the deep political divisions and the often-personal nature of political rivalries in Greece, where such exchanges can quickly become focal points of public debate.

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I am happy, Mr. Kairidis, because you show us what the benchmark of this government is. It doesn't suit you, Mr. Kairidis. I have nothing else to say.