Zoe Konstantopoulou, speaking to MEGA’s Live News, addressed recent political developments, the Tempi trial, the arson attacks in Thessaloniki — which claimed the life of the mother of New Democracy MP Aphrodite Nestora — and the upcoming first Freedom Festival organized by her party, the Movement for Freedom.
A freedom celebration marking a decade
Konstantopoulou opened by expressing enthusiasm for the festival, calling it the Movement for Freedom’s inaugural Freedom Festival. It marks ten years since the party’s founding, when its founding declaration was submitted on the first anniversary of the 2015 ‘No’ referendum.
‘We’re very excited. This is our first Freedom Festival,’ she said, adding that the event will take place on 5 July at the Lipasmata cultural venue in Drapetsona. ‘There will be a satirical musical performance featuring a series of songs, as well as a speech by me.’
She emphasized the significance of the milestone: ‘We’re closing our first decade — ten years of the Movement for Freedom — and we’re looking forward to welcoming people with great joy and anticipation. We expect strong turnout.’
Criticism of Mitsotakis’ public remarks
Turning to the Thessaloniki arson attacks, Konstantopoulou voiced sharp criticism of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ public statements. She described his remarks as ‘suspicious’, noting that he spoke ‘as if he already knows who the perpetrators are’.
‘It’s suspicious that he points to political spaces and seeks to assign blame — not only to political groups but even to autonomous action spaces — mentioning occupations,’ she said.
She stressed that the attack was unquestionably criminal: ‘When human life is taken, there is no doubt that authorities must fully investigate and solve the case.’
Konstantopoulou also drew a parallel to the unsolved 2010 Marfin Bank arson, stating: ‘I’m the one who, while others remain silent, continues to speak out about what happened at Marfin and why it remains unresolved.’
Is it terrorism?
When asked whether she considers the attack terrorist in nature, she replied: ‘It is a criminal act — and yes, it is terrorist in the sense that it instills fear. But whether it falls under a criminal organization, a terrorist organization, or a paramilitary-style provocation group — in my view, that is precisely what must be thoroughly investigated.’
On occupations
Regarding building occupations, Konstantopoulou rejected blanket characterizations of them as illegal acts. ‘Occupations aren’t a monolithic phenomenon,’ she explained. ‘The government treats students who occupy buildings like criminals — while turning a blind eye to far graver offenses: the OPEKEPE scandal, the Tempi rail disaster, mass wiretapping, the Biolantha case, and abuses in urban planning. That’s not justice.’