Dimitris Koutsoumbas, general secretary of the Greek Communist Party (KKE), carried a single carnation into the plenary session of the Hellenic Parliament on Tuesday morning, September 15, 2026, in a simple but symbolic farewell to veteran party cadre Spyros Halvatzis.
Shortly before Koutsoumbas's gesture, KKE members of parliament and other elected party officials had laid flowers on the party's benches in memory of Halvatzis, a longtime figure from the Perissos district of Athens who died on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the age of 79.
The scene in parliament captured, in a particularly symbolic way, the long political journey of Halvatzis, a career spanning more than six decades that was closely tied to the KKE, its youth wing KNE (Communist Youth of Greece), and the cause of the working class.
A career shaped by the dictatorship
From persecution and exile during Greece's 1967-1974 military dictatorship to a long tenure in KNE and later seats in parliament, Halvatzis became one of the most recognizable cadres of the Communist Party, earning respect even from people outside his own political circle.
Farewell ceremony at SFEA
The political farewell ceremony for Halvatzis was scheduled for 5:30pm on Tuesday, in the courtyard of the Association of Imprisoned and Exiled Resistance Fighters 1967-1974, known by its Greek acronym SFEA, located behind Freedom Park and next to the Athens Concert Hall, known as the Megaron Mousikis.
The choice of venue carries particular symbolic weight. Halvatzis was a member of SFEA, which he served for many years, including in positions of responsibility. His political path was directly bound up with the persecutions and exiles of the dictatorship era, lending special significance to holding his farewell there.
Family asks for Cuba support instead of wreaths
Halvatzis's family has asked that, instead of wreaths, people contribute to supporting Cuba's healthcare system through the organization mediCuba Europa.
Cuba was always in Spyros's mind and in his heart, the family said, recalling the ties he built with the country, which he visited several times during his tenure as secretary of KNE.
In doing so, the family chose to link his farewell with a solidarity initiative that, as they noted, is close to the values and convictions that defined his life and political career.
