Attack on Home of Newly Elected Greek President Condemned by Government and Opposition

08:40 13/2/2025 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

The home of Greece’s newly elected President, Kostas Tasoulas, was targeted in an attack late Wednesday by members of the anarchist group Rouvikonas.

The incident, which involved Molotov cocktails and hate-filled slogans, occurred just hours after Mr. Tasoulas

was elected to the presidency by the Greek Parliament with 160 votes.

Dozens of Rouvikonas members arrived on motorcycles and wearing helmets outside Mr. Tasoulas’ residence in the affluent suburb of Kifissia.

They threw Molotov cocktails and spray-painted slogans before police intervened, making five arrests—four men and one woman—in the broader Kifissia area. A member of the group, Georgios Kalaitzidis, posted photos of the attack on Facebook.

The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from both the government and opposition parties. Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis described the assailants as representatives of the “worst version of fascism” and called on opposition parties to reflect on the consequences of their “toxic tactics and slander.”

“The attack on the home of the newly elected President of the Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, on the day of his election, with hate-filled slogans, does not intimidate any democratic citizen,” Mr. Marinakis said in a statement.

“However, it is of great importance for opposition parties to consider where the tactics of toxicity and slander lead, especially when it concerns a national tragedy.”

Opposition parties, including PASOK, also condemned the attack. In a statement, PASOK denounced the violence “unreservedly,” emphasizing that “democracy cannot be blackmailed” and that “violence has no place in our society.”

However, the party also urged the government spokesperson to “stop fueling toxicity” and to “cease instrumentalization,” accusing the government of distributing “shameful non-papers” to friendly media outlets.

Mr. Tasoulas, who previously served as Speaker of Parliament, has been a controversial figure in recent months.

Opposition parties, including SYRIZA, PASOK, Greek Solution, and Plefsi Eleftherias, have criticized his handling of the investigation into the Tempe rail disaster, one of Greece’s deadliest train crashes, which occurred during his tenure as Speaker.

The attack has sparked a broader debate about political polarization in Greece.

While the government and opposition have united in condemning the violence, they remain deeply divided over the handling of key national issues, including the Tempe disaster.

As investigations into the attack continue, authorities have heightened security around Mr. Tasoulas and other high-profile figures.

The incident underscores the challenges facing Greece’s political landscape as it grapples with rising tensions and the aftermath of recent tragedies.

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