The audacious traffic violations of former Minister of Transport Michalis Liapis – who was arrested earlier in the week driving with fake licence plates and no car insurance – has caused New Democracy great embarrassment and prompted his expulsion from the party.
Aside from the initial shock and ridicule in the media, Mr. Liapis’ decision to not attend his trial yesterday in order to travel to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia for the Christmas holidays, has resulted in him losing what few allies he may have had in New Democracy. This is evident by the language used by New Democracy officers, who repeatedly argued that Liapis had not involved in politics since 2009.
Even though Liapis had retired from politics in 2009, his close family connection to the Karamanlis family ensured that he would remain in the spotlight. Liapis was once considered a «prince» amongst New Democracy officers and enjoyed a prestigious political career and was even considered to lead the party.
While some party members argued that the public ridicule he experienced from being arrested and taken to court would be “sufficient punishment”, Liapis’ decision to travel as planned has infuriated even his first cousin and former PM Kostas Karamanlis, who refused to support him.
