The Remark That Sparked Outrage

The incident unfolded when Zoe Konstantopoulou, leader of Plefsi Eleftherias (Course of Freedom), was speaking in Parliament. As she exceeded her allocated speaking time, Nikos Kaklamanis, who was presiding over the session, attempted to intervene. At that moment, Kyriazidis was overheard saying:
“Have a child.”

A visibly shocked Konstantopoulou repeated his words in disbelief, prompting him to add: “Or adopt one.”

The comment immediately triggered strong reactions across party lines, with several MPs condemning the statement as sexist and inappropriate. Even Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Sofia Zacharaki, took a firm stance, stating:
“We are not judged by whether we have children, but by the work we do.”

Mitsotakis’ Intervention: Apologize or Face Expulsion

As the controversy gained momentum, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis personally stepped in. Reports indicate he contacted Nikos Kaklamanis, instructing him to deliver an ultimatum to Kyriazidis:
Either issue an immediate public apology or face expulsion from the party.

Initially, Kyriazidis attempted to downplay the incident, arguing that his words were taken out of context. However, with growing pressure from within New Democracy, including public condemnation from parliamentary spokesperson Thanos Plevris, Kyriazidis ultimately conceded:
“Since this has caused such an uproar, I apologize.”

New Democracy’s Final Verdict: Expulsion

Later that evening, the New Democracy Ethics Committee convened to discuss the matter. The decision was unanimous—Kyriazidis was expelled from the parliamentary group, sending a clear message about the party’s stance on such behavior.

A Moment of Reckoning for Parliamentary Conduct

Kyriazidis’ expulsion marks a defining moment in Greek parliamentary discipline, emphasizing the increasing scrutiny on MPs’ behavior and rhetoric. The incident has reignited public debate on sexism in politics and the boundaries of acceptable discourse in Parliament.

As political circles process this latest development, one thing is clear: New Democracy has drawn a firm line on parliamentary decorum—will others follow suit?