Georgiades: ‘I Don’t Fear Zoë Konstantopoulou’ – Fierce Clash with Freedom Sail Deputies

Health Minister Adonis Georgiades reacted angrily when deputies from the Freedom Sail party accused the government of cooperating with a country that they claimed suppresses human rights—Saudi Arabia. Georgiades personally attacked Zoë Konstantopoulou, the president of Freedom Sail, accusing her of political hypocrisy. “Your selective sensitivity does not affect me because I do not fear Ms. Konstantopoulou. This is our difference,” he said, addressing the deputies. All this unfolded during the Health Minister’s presentation at a parliamentary committee meeting on social issues, where they reviewed a cooperation memorandum between Greece and Saudi Arabia in the health sector. Deputy Alexander Kazamias criticized the government for collaborating with a country that violates human rights, prompting Georgiades to respond: “One of the things that causes me immense psychological pressure is hypocrisy, especially in politics.” He questioned whether Kazamias cared about human rights abuses elsewhere, such as Russia under President Putin, including political persecution and international court rulings against dissenters. The minister also highlighted Konstantopoulou’s past legal defense of Alexander Vinnik, who was sought by Putin for prisoner exchange. Georgiades further criticized her alleged close ties with Putin and how she dismissed fellow elected deputies during her leadership, ignoring their human rights. Addressing another deputy, George Kefalas, Georgiades pointed out the selective nature of their human rights advocacy, emphasizing that Konstantopoulou had been accused of discrimination against individuals with special needs.