NEWS

SYRIZA slams Juncker’s Tsipras snub as ‘insult to democracy’

SYRIZA MP Dimitris Papadimoulis has labeled as an ?insult? Eurogroup chief Jean-Claude Juncker?s decision not to meet with leftist leader Alexis Tsipras during his visit to Athens on Wednesday.

SYRIZA put in a request to the Luxembourg embassy in Athens last week for a meeting but the leftist party was told that the country?s prime minister would not have time to meet Tsipras during his visit.

?This is a major institutional indecency and an insult to democracy,? Papadimoulis told Skai TV. ?The leadership of the European Union prefers to only talk with the people it finds convenient.?

SYRIZA sources told Kathimerini on Tuesday that the party suspects officials in the Greek government or troika had urged Juncker not to hold talks with Tsipras, whose party is the second largest in Parliament.

?We won?t accept a democracy where you can pick and choose,? said Papadimoulis.

It is customary for visiting officials to meet with the leader of the main opposition party when they come to Athens. However, Tsipras also turned down in July a request from troika representatives to meet with them.

Subscribe to our Newsletters

Enter your information below to receive our weekly newsletters with the latest insights, opinion pieces and current events straight to your inbox.

By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.