The President of the Parliament, Costas Tasoulas, described yesterday's meeting as disheartening and justified the tragic events of yesterday by saying that the chairman (Charalambos Athanasiou) stuck to the letter of the regulation.
We recall that with the excuse that the Paul Polakis was «off topic», Mr Athanasiou hung up the microphone on the MP of SYRIZA-PS, when the latter intervened on the Novartis scandal, during the debate in plenary on the development law.
By saying «I apply the regulation», Mr Athanasiou cut off Mr Polakis' speech. The sitting was then adjourned and Mr Athanasiou left the Bureau, waiting for the President of the Parliament to come in. Costas Tasoulas to announce its decision.
However, it is noted that before Polakis, a member of the New Democracy (Vassilis Ypsilantis) had spoken about Novartis, without Mr Athanasiou showing similar «sensitivity».
► The parliamentary representative of SYRIZA-P.S., Yannis Ragousis, taking the floor, argued: «Was yesterday's speech by Mr Polakis inappropriate? Was it insulting? Answer no», launching a firestorm of «anti-establishment and anti-democratic behaviour by the President».
And he foresaw: «As long as the right will not forget what the right means, the Greek people will not forget what the right means, what Novartis means, what the scandal of the cover-up that is in constant progress in this country means.».
«The microphone was closed yesterday by decision of the Presidency, the defence to this decision is not the occupation of the podium, it is a democratic defence and not a terrorist defence, to imitate your expressions», Kostas Tasoulas replied.
