Former Greek Minister and MP Lefteris Avgenakis was expelled from the parliamentary group of ruling New Democracy (ND) after video footage surfaced online showing him accosting an employee at Eleftherios Venizelos Airport in Athens because he had missed a flight.
After the incident, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis referred the MP to the party’s Ethics Committee requesting his expulsion. “After the formal provision of explanations, the committee will ratify the aforementioned request,” government sources said.
Avgenakis, who apologized for the incident in a subsequent post on his X (formerly Twitter) account stated that he respected the decision but would remain an MP.
In a statement on social media, the ex- Greek Minister announced that he would not relinquish his seat and would remain an MP, while also expressing he respected the Prime Minister’s decision to expel him.
“The decision of the [party] President and Prime Minister, Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis, for my expulsion from the parliamentary group of our party is completely respected. I provided explanations regarding the incident and publicly apologized.
I have been and will remain a Member of Parliament for the Heraklion constituency and will continue to serve the citizens of Crete with the same passion. I belong to New Democracy and will continue to support our party and government with all my strength.”
The incident caused a firestorm from all political quarters. Many demanded his immediate expulsion while a prosecutor called for an investigation to determine whether any indictable offense had been committed by the MP.
