A clash of personal characterizations and heavy insinuations was had in the plenary session of the Parliament by Zoe Konstantopoulou and Liana Kanelli.

The reason for the new confrontation was the systematic misuse of the speaking time by the president of the Eleftherias Party and the action of the KKE MP to look at her watch while Konstantopoulou was taking the podium.

“As soon as I take the podium I hear Mrs Kanelli – the well-known slanderer – say that “5 minutes says the clock”. I say this so that there is no doubt as to which is the ‘system’,” Constantopoulou commented, claiming that the KKE is part of the system as opposed to the Liberty Party.

“I will not obey any timer or any late revolutionary who started his career under the junta,” the former speaker of the Parliament continued, addressing Ms Kanelli, adding: “I speak as the only woman leader and as a leader against whom the Speaker of the Parliament took the floor and for 10 minutes attacked me with insults and slander. On the other hand, I, as the leader of an elected party, asked for 2 hours and 45 minutes to speak and was prevented from doing so. I am being blocked so that the Truth Group and the paid publications can have a party, which only highlight what Mitsotakis says and not the truth. The truth is that the President of Parliament took the floor to attack me and to slander the struggle for the crime of Tempe. To make cheap propaganda about how Konstantopoulou talks too much and to distract from what is happening. That is that while the entire criminal case file has been forwarded, which immediately triggers the criminal responsibility of Mitsotakis, Karamanlis, and others, the case file is not accessible contrary to what Mr. Kaklamanis said. It is not accessible to MPs, nor is the original accessible.”

Responding, Ms Kanelli said: “I consider it beneath me to defend myself from this accusation. She was given the 5 minutes to which she was entitled and spoke for 27 minutes. She can do what she wants, but she cannot be the sole infallible holder of other people’s time. I have worked 55 years in public life and have learned to respect every second. It is a matter of respect, not content. It is a matter of respect for her 299 colleagues. One cannot consider oneself superior in any context. Even a football referee cannot give 100 minutes of overtime. I will not be judged here for looking at my watch when someone abuses other people’s time. Everyone has their own time to account for their candle. I will not allow anyone to define my candle.”