Zoe Konstantopoulou launched a fierce verbal attack on rival lawmakers in the Hellenic Parliament shortly before a vote on electing a vice-president.
The leader of the Course of Freedom party directed her criticism at PASOK, New Democracy, and session chair Paris Koukoulopoulos as parliamentary proceedings descended into high tension.
The clash occurred during a vote on electing Elena Akrita as parliamentary vice-president, a proposal submitted by the opposition party SYRIZA. The nomination failed to achieve the necessary majority, securing 119 votes in favour while 169 lawmakers voted present out of 288 total votes cast.
Konstantopoulou accused PASOK of aligning with the ruling New Democracy party over the voting procedure. She stated that the main opposition party was providing backing to New Democracy and failing to challenge government decisions.
Addressing the chamber, Konstantopoulou said what was happening bore the signature and responsibility of PASOK. She questioned what the main opposition was pretending to do in the chamber and declared that parliament was empty, while also asserting that the government majority was attempting to exclude the only female candidate nominated for vice-president from the parliamentary presidium.
Clash Over Voting Procedure
PASOK parliamentary spokesman Panagiotis Doudonis rejected Konstantopoulou's accusations, stating that the Course of Freedom leader had failed to understand his party's position.
Doudonis said the issue concerned the election process for vice-presidents and the rights of parliamentary minorities, arguing that a parliamentary majority should not determine who is acceptable. He criticized the government for employing practices reminiscent of earlier eras, while recalling that during a similar procedure in 2023, Konstantopoulou had voted against all candidates except the one nominated by her own party.
The Hellenic Parliament is the 300-seat unicameral legislature of Greece, located at Syntagma Square in Athens. Under parliamentary rules, vice-presidents are elected to assist the Speaker in managing plenary debates and maintaining order. New Democracy currently forms the governing majority, while PASOK serves as the official main opposition alongside minority parties including SYRIZA, KKE, and Course of Freedom.
Heated Exchange in Chamber
The debate intensified further when Konstantopoulou turned her attention to Communist Party of Greece (KKE) lawmaker Liana Kanelli, who was speaking with Doudonis. Konstantopoulou urged them to coordinate with Kanelli, claiming the KKE MP had previously described Bakoyannis as the best minister.
Kanelli shouted back at Konstantopoulou to get out of there. Turning to session chair Paris Koukoulopoulos, Konstantopoulou sarcastically congratulated him, describing him as a worthy vice-president of New Democracy. Koukoulopoulos replied that it was unnecessary for him to respond.
When Konstantopoulou ordered Koukoulopoulos to step down from the podium, the chair reacted sharply, telling her to end the wisecracks, stating that he would not tolerate her behaviour, and asking if she understood. Konstantopoulou concluded the exchange by calling Koukoulopoulos a bully.
The plenary session continued in a highly charged atmosphere, as procedural disagreements and party rivalries developed into broader political confrontations across the chamber floor.
