By Yannis Anifantis

A domino of statements and comments, both from the government and from the opposition benches, was caused by the reference of the General Secretary of the KKE, Dimitris Koutsoubas, to “sugar daddies”, which almost monopolized the debate during the second day of debate on the bill on the operation of branches of non-state universities in the country.

D. Koutsoumbas, referring to the Scandinavian education system, argued from the floor of the Parliament: “Now, about the anecdote of the Scandinavian model, not even the Scandinavians believe you, since they too have very bitter experience from the imposition of tuition fees that still lead and in this rot, young girls, students, to be led to look for “sugar daddies” to sponsor their studies, with known exchanges of course”.

The above report did not take long to gather the condemning reaction of all the parties, who spoke of a “despicable and sexist statement”, while as expected it diverted the debate within the plenary, causing a new heated episode, this time with the parliamentary representative of the KKE, Nikos Karathanasopoulos, who supported what the General Secretary said.

“I couldn’t believe my ears. I’m listening to it again now. As a woman I am sorry! Unacceptable sexist statement. “I’m sorry that you persist,” stressed the Deputy Minister of Education, Zetta Makri, from the government seats, with Stelios Petsa attributing “a grave mistake and slip” to the KKE, pointing out that “You are not in a Soviet country in the 80s.” Mr. Karathanasopoulos picked up the gauntlet by answering in a strong tone “only the ND can denounce this, instead of denouncing promoters and pimps, the KKE denounces”.

Third day of discussion

The issue of “sugar daddies” is expected to play a leading role in today’s meeting as well, but not to overshadow the climax of the three-day parliamentary debate on the bill for the operation of branches of non-state universities. With at least 150 MPs having already taken their position on the proposed provisions in over 32 hours of meetings, the impossibility of creating wider consensus has become apparent, with the opposition expected – except for certain articles – to vote against the proposed provisions, accusing the government of unconstitutional legislation.

Shortly after 11 a.m., the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, will rise to the podium to defend the legislative initiative he had announced from the same chamber on the last night of the state budget debate on December 17, 2023, with the government pointing out that it is for a “solid constitutional step”. In fact, his confrontation with SYRIZA, but also with PASOK, is expected with interest, given that Nikos Androulakis’s “no” to the bill has ignited major tension from the first moment both inside and outside Charilaou Trikoupis.

However, PASOK’s stance caused a sharp confrontation with the government benches throughout the debate, with the Minister of Health, Adonis Georgiadis, last night commenting decisively on the party’s position: “If a party becomes a dog’s leash, it is you. You said at the beginning that you support non-state universities, and one day Mr. Androulakis came and said that you are voting against it.” “For a Minister to come and say that any parliamentary group has become a dog’s leash is not the proper behavior towards the parliament”, replied Dimitris Manzos, stressing that PASOK’s long-standing position has never changed.

In the roll-call vote, which is being held at the request of SYRIZA and the KKE, no particular surprises are expected, as the bill will be voted in favor by the 158 MPs of New Democracy, but also by the independent, from the Spartans, Haralambos Katsivardas, with his parties opposition to vote against.