The suggestion that Maria Karystianou should enter politics and become the Prime Minister has sparked controversy, with Nikos Plakias intervening on Wednesday (12.03.2025). Speaking on the radio station ‘Sto Kokkino,’ Plakias criticized those making such proposals, especially during this sensitive time following the Tempi train disaster that claimed the lives of his daughters Thomi and Chrysa, and niece Anastasia. Elena Akrita and Nikos Kotzias were also mentioned in this context.
Plakias questioned the motives behind these suggestions, stating, “What is the aim to say that families will be politicized? Today they talk about Mrs. Karystianou, tomorrow it could be me.” He added, “I don’t dispute that after a reasonable period, I might engage in politics. But why does this topic arise now? There are many other issues at hand.”
In response, former Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Kotzias took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize media outlets for adopting an unverified stance on a thought he had expressed nine months ago. In a tweet, Kotzias explained that his statement was made in entirely different circumstances and was misrepresented as recent commentary. Previously, Kotzias had said on Attica TV: “I would vote for Maria of Tempi as the country’s Prime Minister. She doesn’t want it, but I would vote for her. I don’t consider party leaders better than her.”