After the controversy caused by the demand of the Greeks government’s junior coalition partner and head of the ANEL party, Panos Kammenos for Immigration Minister John Mouzalas to resign over his calling FYROM ‘Macedonia’ in a TV interview, the left SYRIZA party members of the coalition government have expressed their full support to Mouzalas. Many SYRIZA Ministers have weighed in on the issue on social media, TV and radio interviews voicing their backing for Mouzalas. The Greek government spokesperson, Olga Gerovasili said in a press briefing that Mouzalas had the full support of the government, adding that his ‘mistake’ was no reason for a government crisis and the there is always a difference of opinion within a coalition government. Labour Minister George Katrougalos tweeted that ‘no-one had more than Mouzalas for the protection of refugees, matters of national interest and the honour of Europe.

The President of the Greek Parliament, Nikos Voutsis offered his full support to the immigration Minister speaking to reporters stressing that Mouzalas’s explanation were sufficient in his eyes. European Parliament Vice-President Dimitris Papadimoulis said it was the time for resignations, but to come together over the refuge crisis matter.

Deputy Minister for Social Security Theono Fotiou said she completeely understood the slip of the tongue by Mouzalas, as he was constantly around international media who name FYROM ‘Macedonia’. Education Minister Nikos Filis said that he was recognised for his work internationally, chracterising the use of the term ‘Macedonia’ an unfortunate mishap. Meanwhile, a Facebook page supporting Mouzalas was set up, which had 1,220 likes in a matter of a few hours. Meanwhile, opposition parties are divided over the matter, with major conservative party New Democracy (ND) calling for his resignation in a statement released stressing that his mistake reinforced the policy of FYROM on the name dispute. PASOK said that the Greek PM Alexis Tsipras should clarify his position on the matter, while To Potami (The River) party said a word blunder was no reason for resignation. Finally, centre party Union of Centrists (Enosi Kentroon) dubbed his mistake ‘shameful’.