Dimitris Kyriazidis’s Sexist Attack on Zoi Konstantopoulou – The ‘Frozen’ Gaze from ND Ministers

The harsh and unprovoked attack launched today (07.03.2025) by Dimitris Kyriazidis, MP for Drama of New Democracy, against Zoi Konstantopoulou during the Parliament plenary session, sparked significant reactions. As the Speaker of the Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis, asked Konstantopoulou to conclude her speech regarding the motion of no confidence against the government, the New Democracy MP attacked the president of ‘Sailing for Freedom’ with an unacceptable sexist comment. Immediately, both the opposition and the parliamentary group of New Democracy condemned the impropriety and offensive attack by the MP for Drama. Despite being given multiple opportunities to speak, Kyriazidis did not apologize. He later claimed that his words were misinterpreted and insisted he had not said what everyone in the Parliament understood. Representatives of New Democracy, including Thanos Pleuris and Minister Sophia Zacharaki, distanced themselves from Kyriazidis’s actions, leading him to retreat under heavy criticism. The President of the Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis, subsequently referred Kyriazidis to the Ethics Committee and apologized to Ms. Konstantopoulou and all women.