“Why do you trample the dreams of the youth and the Constitution to satisfy the interests of a few cronies? You are doing all this so that some of your friends, some fund, will make a profit”emphasized the president of the SYRIZA PS Committee, Socrates Famousin the debate in Parliament on the bill: “Strengthening the Public University – Framework for the operation of non-profit branches of foreign universities”. He commented that with this bill the government is telling the young people who are demonstrating for the Public education that they have no right to study if they have no money.

Responding to the prime minister he said that “me and my comrades have been participating in demonstrations since ’81 and many times we were also harassed by police forces, but also as a member of parliament we were beaten by the MAT outside Malamatina during your administration. Yes, we do such a ‘career’, with students and workers in mobilizations and claiming rights. Where exactly did you have a career?”, he commented. He also said that Mr. Mitsotakis questioned Mr. Kasselakis’ ability to speak about the public university, “but you went to a public university and do you have the right to speak about a public university?”

Mr. Famellos mentioned that “the 1975 Constitution proves that post-political Greece 50 years ago was much more advanced and much more progressive than you are today, because then he foresaw and imprinted in the cornerstone of our Republic that higher education is not a commodity and that students are not customers. And you come 50 years later with a deeply conservative view to say that higher education is a commodity and students are customers.”

Mr. Famellos referred to difference of points between public and private universities and spoke of “excellence that is bought”.

“Mr. Pierrakakis did not have a serious dialogue about professional rights and research. You are making a mockery of society and the Constitution is being violated”added Mr. Famellos.

He reiterated his support for public universities and reiterated his opposition. “We have submitted a motion for a roll call vote because it must be recorded who violates the Constitution today,” he stressed.

“We will defend with all our strength Article 16 for the public university and in the future in our own governance we commit to abolish this bill” said the president of the KO of SYRIZA.

Mr. Famellos condemned the attack that took place during the Prime Minister’s visit to Odessawhile he also requested to be informed by the Foreign Minister about what was discussed there.

Furthermore invited Mr. Mitsotakis to answer whether Anna Michelle Asimakopoulou will be a candidate for MEP.