Pavlos Polakis has been expelled from Syriza’s parliamentary group for bullying of a minister’s aide in parliament, sparking cross-party criticism.
During a committee session, Mr. Polakis addressed Natasha Petroulia, the legal advisor of Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis' legal advisor, "Don’t twist your face, madam. It’s annoying."
The outburst left many committee members shocked.
Syriza lawmaker Athina Linou, who was present, defended Ms. Petroulia and tearfully apologised for Mr. Polakis' behaviour.
“We cannot allow such behaviour towards any woman or person."
The incident provoked a strong reaction from Mr. Georgiadis, who demanded Syriza expel Mr. Polakis, calling also for disciplinary action from the House Speaker.
Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis criticised Mr. Polakis for his lack of decency, emphasizing that his attack on a working woman was unacceptable.
Parliament Speaker Konstantinos Tasoulas responded by calling Mr. Polakis a "vulgar attention seeker" and halving his parliamentary salary.
"There are limits, and those limits were disgracefully crossed today," Mr. Tasoulas said.
Following unanimous agreement from MPs, Syriza leader Stefanos Kasselakis announced Polakis’ expulsion from the parliamentary group.
Mr. Polakis has since then remained defiant, declaring he would do it again.
"I will not stop. The people plan expulsions," he stated.
Immediately after his expulsion, Mr. Polakis entered the room where the Syriza parliamentary group was meeting, demanding explanations from Socrates Famellos.
During his speech, Mr. Kasselakis avoided directly addressing the incident but implied that there is no room for personal agendas.
Mr. Polakis' behavior was widely condemned by all parliamentary groups as "shameful, unacceptable, and condemnable."