A clear message in all directions, to ministers, MPs and executives of the New Democracy, was the impeachment of Lefteris Avgenakis by decision of Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Mr. Avgenakis was the first secretary of Mr. Mitsotakis since he took over the reins of ND in 2016, while for 5 consecutive years, until the recent reshuffle, he held ministerial positions. His provocative behavior with the attack on an employee of the Eleftherios Venizelos airport, which was also recorded on video, left no room for the prime minister, who immediately initiated the relevant procedures.

Lefteris Avgenakis was expelled from the New Democracy Parliamentary Group following an incident where he was recorded attacking an employee at “Eleftherios Venizelos” airport because he missed a flight.

At 13:40, the President of the Parliament, Konstantinos Tasoulas, made related announcements, stating that these decisions are made to protect the integrity of the Parliament. He also read the Parliament’s code of ethics. “The behavior of Lefteris Avgenakis at the airport was unacceptable. I asked to see him, and I understand he apologized, but I cannot accept such behavior from someone who serves in Parliament,” Mr. Tasoulas said among other things.

Applying the principles of the Parliament and Article 77 of the Parliament’s regulations concerning contempt of a state institution for an incident seen and condemned by all of Greece, “I am forced to impose the penalty of censure” on Mr. Avgenakis, said the President of the Parliament.

Earlier, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had referred Lefteris Avgenakis to the party’s Ethics Committee with a request for his expulsion due to the incident. “After the required explanations, the committee will endorse the above recommendation,” government sources said.

According to reports, Prime Minister Mitsotakis was furious in the morning with the behavior of the MP and his long-time associate.

Avgenakis’ statements after the video’s release

“It’s self-evident that I accept the lifting of my immunity to take responsibility for my actions,” Avgenakis said on Wednesday morning while speaking on MEGA. He insisted that there was no physical assault, but he requested the phone to speak with someone in charge. He also mentioned on SKAI that he was not considering resigning from his position.

Earlier, when asked about the issue before Avgenakis’ statement, government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said explanations had been requested, emphasizing that “behaviors like ‘do you know who I am?’ are not tolerated.” He added on ANT1, “I’ll tell you that while time may be given for the implementation of government work, behaviors are judged instantly”.