Condolences from the Greek political world and from abroad are arriving as procedures for the funeral and honors of KINAL leader Fofi Gennimata are being made. The Prime Minister has declared a national day of mourning the October 27, the day Gennimata will be laid to rest.
The 56-year-old socialist politician who lost a long battle with cancer a>will be laid to rest on Wednesday afternoon at the First Cemetery of Athens. She will lie in state in the Cathedral from 10 o’ clock in the morning, with the funeral service scheduled for 2 p.m.
The Greek parliament has decided to suspend its sessions for one week to honor the deceased politician. A minute of silence was held at the Parliament one hour after the announcement of her death on Monday. A bouquet of white roses was laid in the chair where the MP and leader of Movement for Change was seated in the plenary of the parliament.
Having party recovered form the shock of the sudden death, the state and political leadership of the country started to issue messages of condolences.
President of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou:
Αποχαιρετάμε την Φώφη Γεννηματά με βαθιά συγκίνηση. Μια γενναία γυναίκα που έδωσε με αξιοπρέπεια όλες τις μάχες της ζωής της, τις πιο μικρές και τις πιο μεγάλες. Υπηρέτησε με πολιτικό ήθος τις αρχές της και τον δημόσιο βίο και με μια ευγένεια ψυχής που θα λείψει σε όλους μας.
— President GR (@PresidencyGR) October 25, 2021
“A brave woman who was fighting with dignity all the battles of her life, the smallest and the biggest ones, without ever losing her bright smile. She has consistently and politically served her principles and the public life. With a kindness of soul that we will all miss. Warm condolences to her family, to her own people. Their pain during these difficult hours is also ours.”
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis:
Με θλίψη και συντριβή πληροφορήθηκα την απώλεια της Φώφης Γεννηματά. Την αποχαιρετώ με σεβασμό. Αλλά και πλημμυρισμένος από τις σκέψεις που προκαλεί ο τόσο άδικος και πρόωρος χαμός της. Γιατί η πολιτική υπάρχει για να είναι, πριν απ’ όλα, ανθρώπινη. https://t.co/B4PhWzy4dO pic.twitter.com/DdOa59gu4V
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) October 25, 2021
“I was shocked and saddened to learn about the death of Fofi Gennimata. I say goodbye to her with respect. But also flooded with thoughts caused by her so unjust and untimely loss. Because politics is, above all, humane. Fofi was a fighter of life, fighting with dignity the difficulties of her health and the enemy that struck her family. And she stood up to the end, serving her duty. It thus became a symbol of courage for all women, but also for men suffering from serious illnesses.”
Mitsotakis was informed about Gennimata’s death upon his arrival in Saudi Arabia for a two-day official visit. He changed his schedule and will return to Athens on Tuesday night. His tour to the Dodecanese islands has been postponed for a later date.
All political leaders as well as former PMs and MPs have expressed their condolences.
Messages came also from abroad, not only socialist politicians but also by conservatives ones.
Εκφράζω την οδύνη μου για την απώλεια της Φώφης Γεννηματά, μίας νέας πολιτικού με την οποία μας συνέδεε ανιδιοτελής φιλία.
Ο νηφάλιος και τεκμηριωμένος πολιτικός της λόγος θα λείψει από όλους μας.
Στην οικογένεια της εύχομαι κουράγιο και δύναμη.
Ας είναι αιωνία η μνήμη της. pic.twitter.com/RvE91P386L— Nicos Anastasiades (@AnastasiadesCY) October 25, 2021
Very sad to learn about the death of KINAL leader Fofi Gennimata. Just a few months ago, we met to discuss the way forward after the pandemic. A fierce fighter for solidarity, she will be missed beyond Greece's borders. My sincere condolences to her family and friends. pic.twitter.com/YyIyyqbvdF
— David Sassoli (@EP_President) October 25, 2021
J’apprends avec tristesse le décès prématuré de Fofi Gennimata, leader du Parti socialiste grec, le Pasok. J’appréciais cette femme énergique et convaincue. Mes condoléances à sa famille et à ses amis politiques.
— Pierre Moscovici (@pierremoscovici) October 25, 2021
Fofi Gennimata was hospitalized with ileus in Evangelismos in Athens since October 11. Cancer had returned and her health condition was irreversible.
Rest in peace, Kyria Gennimata.
You will be missed! So sad…..