Main opposition SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras said the government was to blame for the “conditions of chaos” and “insecurity” in Greece, following the ugly scenes and the excessive use of violence by riot police on the islands of Lesvos and Chios.
“Today we are talking about the social security bill,” he said, “but with all that is happening in the last few days, the meaning of security, in its broader sense, is the crucial and sought-after goal for every citizen,” he added.
“With your obsession, authoritarianism and arrogance and with your unprecedented managerial ineptitude, you generate fear and insecurity in the average Greek,” Tsipras said.
Additionally, he accused the government of “turning the country into the Far West,” referring among others to the incidents at he Economic University of Athens and to the clashes on the islands, wondering “who is responsible for this image of civil strife”.
“Is anyone going to assume responsibility for everything that is going on…Do you believe that you can solve the problems with violence and authoritarianism?” he asked the government and the prime minister.
Also PASOK/KINAL criticized the government, with Chairwoman Fofi Gennimata to say in Palriament the government management of the migration crisis “is a total zero,” and creates “utter confusion”.
“Requisitioning and riot police can’t solve the problem on the islands,” she said adding “you turn a European problem into a national tragedy.”
“You need to finally understand that with violence, authoritarianism, requisitions and MAT (riot police) you are not solving the problem of the islands. You are creating a new crisis. The number of those trapped has increased since you came in power,” Gennimata said, among others.
She urged the government to “flex your muscles to Europe where you are speechless and not to desperate and resentful islanders.”
