The Independent turned its attention to Greek MP Nikos Voutsis this week, citing his political journey from protesting firebrand leftist to minister directly responsible for overseeing law enforcement in Greece.
In a headline entitled “This man is now in charge of Greece’s police”, the paper first shows a photograph of Voutsis under the caption “…(Voutsis) scuffling with police during a November 2013 demonstration outside the headquarters of former state broadcaster ERT in Athens.”
The UK mass daily continues:
“Hundreds of staff had taken residence in the broadcaster’s headquarters after it was closed by the government as part of austerity measures in June 2013.
“By November, riot police were sent in to clear the building. Syrzia MP Voutsis was one of those gathered outside in protest, and according to Vice clashed with police after he tried to enter the building.
“Just over a year later and following Syriza’s general election victory, Voutsis is now Greece’s interior minister – meaning he is in charge of the police. The position is similar to that of home secretary in Britain.”
Decent report, it should be noted that even more “bad blood” between law enforcement and Voutsis came after a video aired showing him calling Greek police the pejorative “batsi”, plural for “coppers”.