SYRIZA Demands Resignation of Deputy Minister Nicos Tsafos Over Cyprus Remarks

Following the resignation of Aristos Doxiadis, two SYRIZA members have called for the resignation of the new Deputy Minister for Environment, Nicos Tsafos, due to past references to the occupied areas as the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.’ SYRIZA’s spokesperson, Giorgos Karameros, stated that Tsafos should not remain in his ministerial position even for a minute. Meanwhile, Kostas Zachariadis remarked that upon hearing Tsafos’ statements, he initially thought he was a minister of Erdogan. Karameros emphasized that Tsafos had referred to the occupied territories as the ‘Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus’ during his time as an economic analyst in the United States. Despite acknowledging Tsafos’ professional background, Karameros criticized him for failing to apologize for his remarks and questioned his suitability for negotiating with Israel, Cyprus, and Turkey on energy zones. Zachariadis further criticized Tsafos, questioning how someone who made such statements could be part of the Greek government.