Except that SYRIZA’s European ballot is set by his decision Stefanou Kasselakis the journalist Dimitris Papanotasafter the extent he took the issue with his earlier statements about battered women.

More specifically, the SYRIZA MEP candidate had stated on the Fay’s time show in March, on the occasion of a confrontation he had with Noni Dounia (an MEP candidate with the ND): “I don’t understand what problem Mrs. Dounia has who feels that she is a downtrodden. But I don’t see a woman having a problem in Greece and in general in the EU, unless she wants to have one. That is, if she gets a satrap, who abuses her, and she does not speak and sits and tolerates it, it is her problem.”

The statements were characterized as sexist and caused reactions even within SYRIZA, with many calling for his deletion.

The statement of Stefanos Kasselakis:

I completely respect the decisions of the members and friends of SYRIZA who – for the first time, with my own commitment – chose our MEP candidates themselves. But there are cases when the President must intervene in order not to “load” responsibilities elsewhere by washing his hands. Especially since women, unfortunately, still suffer from multiple discriminations, inequalities and gender-based violence.

It is with regret that I am forced to exclude Dimitris Papanotas from the Euroballot. I know that he issued a corrective statement, but the issue he referred to is highly sensitive and cannot be discussed. Especially for the party that has human rights and equality at the forefront.

Reactions

The statements of Mr. Papanotas provoked a lot of reactions. The intervention of SYRIZA was requested by its co-candidacy in the party for the European elections, Sofia Bekatorou. Regarding the statements of Dimitris Papanotas about women who are victims of abuse, Sofia Bekatorou reported to Parapolitika 90.1: “I hope that the party will stand as it should. To make the right move.” “I am already in contact with the party and I am waiting for them to position themselves on the matter” added the Olympian.

It was preceded by the statements of Efi Ahtsioglou from the New Left, who emphasized that “these opinions reproduce the patriarchal stereotypes that are deeply rooted in Greek society. Views that are full of sexism, ignorance of social reality, misogyny”. At the same time, PASOK-KINAL commented that “it gives the impression that Sofia Bekatorou, who pioneered the Me too movement, and Dimitris Papanotas, who shares the opinion, can co-exist on the same ballot if a woman gets a satrap who abuses her and she sits and tolerates it, her problem”.