SYRIZA MP: I need a (state) car, food stipend and lodgings when on tour

The outspoken likened himself to a company employee whose job involves away trips

The latest internal fuss in ruling SYRIZA party involves a northern Greece deputy who on Monday refused to “toe the line” on accepting a state car, demanding that he be furnished with a car and travel expenses when he tours the provinces in his capacity as a MP.

Vangelis Diamantopoulos, an outspoken MP for Kastoria prefecture who occupies leftist SYRIZA’s “radical wing”, went even further, likening himself to a company employee whose job involves out-of-town business travel.

In a caustic text he posted on his FB page, Diamantopoulos continues:

“I am not participating in a leader-based party, and because as a leftist with libertarian-socialist views, and coming from the movement, I have the culture of collectivity deeply ingrained, I do not follow personal orders by anyone, but I implement collective decisions; when such are taken I absolutely respect them,” he said, in a not-so-indirect jab at PM and SYRIZA party leader Alexis Tsipras.

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