Tsipras: Prime Minister needs to explain support for former National Theatre artistic director
Ο πρόεδρος του ΣΥΡΙΖΑ – Προοδευτική Συμμαχία, Αλέξης Τσίπρας. ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ, ΣΥΡΙΖΑ, STR
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Commenting on a recent wave of revelations about sexual abuse and harassment within Greece’s acting scene, main opposition leader Alexis Tsipras on Saturday said the prime minister needed to provide explanations for the way the government had handled the case of the National Theatre’s former artistic director after the complaints made against him.
In a post on social media, SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance’s leader said that Mitsotakis needed to give reasons why Culture Minister Lina Mendoni had backed the artistic director for two weeks, while aware of the case against him.
“For weeks now, women and men are breaking their silence and courageously speaking publicly about the sexual harassment, abuse and even the horrifying and heinous crimes they have suffered…They are finding the courage to report the names of their nightmares, people that until a few days ago they did not believe they could touch because they are famous, or because they have power,” Tsipras said.
Due to their position and close relations with political power, these abusers not only believed that they would get away with their actions but also continued to behave in the same way, even after their abuse was reported, he added.
While the prime minister could not be held accountable for the actions of people he happened to know, Tsipras added, he was obliged to adopt a position once the issue became known and should certainly not cover for such individuals in any way but take steps to remove them.
“What was the reason that Ms. Mendoni, even though she knew, for two weeks fully covered for the former artistic director of the National Theatre? If the reason was not [Mitsotakis’] own orders, then he must immediately ask for the minister’s resignation. If the reason was that he sped to use some of his own power to help someone accused of such horrific crimes, he should know he has made an unforgivable mistake,” Tsipras said.
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