The Greeks Prefer Brains to Brawn

The video below has been travelling all over the world since yesterday morning when a Greek MP violently attacked on Greek  live TV two women politicians taking part in a political debate in George Papadakis' live show on Antena TV. I did not watch the show as I was at work at that time. While I was having my lunch break at home, I turned on the TV since this is the only time I can catch up with the news. This video had been playing on all Greek channels and already travelling abroad. Say that I was appalled at what I saw would be an understatement. 

 

Mr Ilias Kasidiaris, 32, is a spokeaman of extreme right Golden Dawn party in Greece and a member of the Greek parliament for a few days till the elections of June 17. During the live talk show, he  lashed out  in response to comments from rival politician Rena Dourou of the Syriza party. After Ms Dourou made reference to a court case pending against him and said his party "will take the country back 500 years", Mr Kasidiaris leapt from his chair and threw a glass of water over her. Thank God, he only threw the water, not the glass!

When Communist party deputy Liana Kanelli stood up to condemn Mr Kasidiaris and threw a newspaper at him, the ex-special forces weightlifting enthusiast turned his rage on her. Mr Kasidiaris slapped Ms Kanelli around the face three times as she struggled to defend herself. Host Giorgos Papadakis ran across the set shouting, "No, No" as he attempted to intervene but was too slow to stop the attack.

Mr Kasidiaris has been one of the most vocal critics of claims that Golden Dawn is a violent organisation with a history of targeting Greece's immigrant populations. Golden Dawn - surprise winner of 7% of the vote in recent elections - said in a statement that Mr Kasidiaris had been provoked. It said: "If anybody wants us to condemn our colleague over this indeed unfortunate moment, they should first condemn Kanelli's attack and slandering."

Following the incident, Ilias Kasidiaris was locked in a room at the Antena studios in Athens but broke down a door and escaped, according to the TV show's host. An arrest warrant has been issued for Mr Kasidiaris as tensions ahead of the June 17 elections in Greece became explosive.

A public prosecutor ordered police to track him down and detain him on charges of causing serious bodily harm. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted but may be fined instead.

I firmly believe that violence never solves problems. And it is definitely not an argument! I won't discuss here the political dimensions of the incident. As most of you know, I'm not into politics. But no one has the right to violently attack any citizen in any country just because they disagree with them. At the same time, I am glad to see that this attitude, which reminds us of the cavemen, does not represent the Greek culture and civilization. Since the golden era of Pericles, the Greeks have proved that they prefer brains to brawn and, I'm sure, that they won't let this unfortunate incident change their beliefs. 

Comments

[Constantinos T]

You know what, Anastasia, I'm glad this unfortunate incident happened. It has dropped the mask and revealed the true face of the far extreme right Golden Dawn. I truly hope that the Greek people will now realise what a hypocrite this political party has been and hopefully change their vote on June 17. Thank you for this wonderful post.

[Sophia]

As a tv reporter, I would like to condemn violence in general and any kind of violence on tv air - verbal or physical. Hats off to Giorgos Papadakis who had the stamina and courage to go on with the show after the commercial break.

[Laura]

This is what I read in The Sun today:

In Greece a neo-Nazi MP slapped a woman’s face during a live TV debate. Prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for Ilias Kasidiaris after he hit Communist Party member Liana Kanelli three times. The Greeks go to the polls on June 17.

I hope he ends up in prison.

[Jeff]

Is disagreeing the essence of democracy? If so, democracy should render itself short lived amongst the human race in the next millennium. If the entire population runs around disagreeing and attacking, may I please ask how any of you humans plan to get anything done of value or propel the human species forward?

[Lakis Ioannou]

Unfortunately, some politicians don't hesitate to sell their own country in the name of fascism and terrorism. Greece desperately needs a great leader who will be able to take the country out of this disastrous economic crisis and lead it to progress, development and prosperity. I really hope that the people of Greece will reconsider in the elections of June 17.

[Christina]

I was watching the talk show when the incident occurred. Naturally I was dumbfounded. The debate started getting real hot about 20 minutes before the incident and verbal violence had been used by practically most members of the panel. In my opinion the host, Giorgos Papadakis, shouldn't have allowed the use of hate language in his show. He should have reacted seeing the tension amongst his guests - particularly among Kasidiaris, Dourou and Kanelli.

[Alexia M]

Violence never solves problems. On the contrary, it can create more. Iam deeply shocked to see a man slap a woman repeatedly on live tv air. I don't know the people and don't understand Greek, but whatever the argument, I can't justify violence in a democratic country. If this incident happened in the Netherlands the man would certainly end up in prison for at least 10 years.