Greek politics on fire – The Mitsotakis-Tsipras feud flares up over Rodopi

The conflict between New Democracy (ND) and SYRIZA is heating up, with a focus on the Muslim minority in Rodopi, and while the time is counting down to the June 25 elections. The issue came back to the fore after Mitsotakis’ new statements, that Alexis Tsipras had been officially informed that the Turkish consulate was conducting an election campaign in favor of two minority SYRIZA candidates, but did not take it into account.

In fact, at 9:30 in the morning he will have an extraordinary meeting with acting Prime Minister Ioannis Sharma, at Megaros Maximos, in a symbolic visit that demonstrates that Koumundourou prioritizes the issue of the Rhodope Mountains.

Mitsotakis and National Intelligence Agency-EYP in Komotini

The conflict between the two parties on the issue of minority parliamentary candidates was rekindled after Mitsotakis’ televised interview with SKAI channel, during which he claimed that Alexis Tsipras had been informed before the May 21 elections about the interventions of the Turkish consulate.

“He had been informed that the Turkish consulate was campaigning in favor of two SYRIZA candidates in the region” and he had been told “don’t put them on the ballot but chose to do the exact opposite,” he said.

“Mr. Tsipras talked about “spook” practices, don’t we understand the dangers that exist for the region?” he said, adding that the developments confirm that it is no coincidence that there is an EYP branch in Komotini. Then Mr. Mitsotakis called Mr. Ferhat and Zeibek “to make a statement that they represent the Muslim and not the Turkish minority, but I don’t think they will because they will displease the Turkish consulate.”

The president of ND said that he will also raise the issue with the Turkish president, Erdogan, whenever there is a meeting, stressing that he cannot allow the minority to be instrumentalized by Turkey. “Turkey has no right to interfere in Greece’s internal affairs,” he said.

The angry reaction of Tsipras

Alexis Tsipras spoke about the atrocities of Mitsotakis and mafia logic from Dora Bakoyannis in an interview on the TRT Thessaly channel.

“These days we see a wretchedness on the part of Mr. Mitsotakis and New Democracy. It plays with our sensitive national issues. For as long as I can remember, I am 49 years old, for 49 years our Muslim fellow citizens in Rodopi have always chosen some Muslims from all parties according to their own criteria. When they chose from PASOK and ND was there no problem? Now that they chose SYRIZA, is there a problem? And it is a shame for 10-15,000 votes to create tensions, which affect stability and social peace in such a sensitive area”, said the president of SYRIZA.

“Of course we all understood what happened when Mrs. Bakoyannis went upstairs and threatened them. If you don’t vote ND you will have a hard time, he told them. This is mafia logic. I am sorry for this expression, but I cannot find any other expression to place myself. Of course, she is tough,” added Alexis Tsipras.

War of words

Earlier, in a statement, SYRIZA accused the ND president of “cheap pre-election games with the Muslim minority in Thrace, this time enlisting in the pre-election arena even the EYP”.

“We are not impressed. It was the Prime Minister who had the EYP monitor half of the political system and his political opponents, wouldn’t he have it create a convenient pre-election narrative for him? But this road is nationally damaging and slippery.

Whoever chooses this road assumes a great responsibility. And a reminder: The sister of Mr. Mitsotakis, Mrs. Dora Bakoyannis, who today brutally blackmails the minorities that they will not have a good time if they do not vote ND, in 2012 she went to the elections with her own party. It received 2.56% nationwide but 18% in Rodopi. Was she the chosen one of the Turkish consulate? Had he done any business with Erdogan? Did he commit any treason against the nation?”, the SYRIZA announcement states.

The ND press representative, Akis Skertsos, responded to this announcement, accusing SYRIZA of “playing with words and turning white into black. As usual”.

“We don’t care which party is voted for in Rodopi. As long as it does not represent the “Turkish” minority. This is the red line and SYRIZA stepped on it. It is a national issue that our representatives in Parliament are not employees of the Turkish consulate. SYRIZA ignored warnings and information officially conveyed to them BEFORE the elections and continues to play with fire. Mixing and defaming from Dora Bakoyannis to  EYP who is in crisis role in minority issues for decades. Therefore, instead of throwing the ball off field, SYRIZA and its two candidates must answer one single question: do they represent and claim the vote of the Muslim or the “Turkish” minority? We want a simple, clear answer from the two candidates”, said Akis Skertsos.

Barbs from Androulakis – Nikos Androulakis also left hints on the issue.

“I heard in a video Ms. Bakoyannis speaking to Greek citizens of Thrace with an old party speech of the `60s (…) but on the other hand the leaders of SYRIZA must tell us how their candidates speak of a Turkish minority while the Treaty of Lausanne is clear” , said the president of PASOK.