Following a heated parliamentary debate on Thursday between Deputy Education Minister Giorgos Stylios and communist KKE party MP Liana Kanelli, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras asked for the resignation of Mr. Stylios due to the insulting language he used towards Ms. Kaneli.

More specifically, during a discussion in the Greek parliament of a question submitted by Ms. Kanelli, the Deputy Education minister referred to the live TV assault by detained Golden Dawn deputy Ilias Kassidiaris, who in 2012 attacked Ms. Kanelli and SYRIZA MP Rena Dourou, slapping the former and throwing a glass of water at the latter, during a morning show on ANT1 TV.

In a tasteless attempt to prove his point in the parliament, Mr. Stylios said to Ms. Kanelli: “You want to turn me into Kassidiaris. However, Stylios will not be turned into Kassidiaris.”

Shortly after the incident and before the premier announced his decision to ask for his resignation, Mr. Stylios had apologized to Kanelli. “Tension can lead to verbal exaggerations. Of course I did not want to insult Ms Kanelli to whom I apologize. I shouldn’t have referred to Ilias Kassidiaris whose behavior I strongly disapprove,” he said.

Commenting on PM Antonis Samaras’ decision, Ms. Kanelli told the reporters that fortunately, this time the government did its duty and called for Stylios’ resignation.