The President of Parliament Zoi Konstantopoulou has entered a major argument with the Alternate Minister of Public Order Yannis Panousis, over allegations that riot police officers have been banned from using the toilets in Parliament.
The Public Order Minister expressed his frustration at the allegation and maintained that “the institution of Parliament must respect the other institution, the Police” and argued that “the Police cannot be undermined and considered an invader in the courtyard of Parliament”. Mrs. Konstantopoulou was angered by Mr. Panousis’ equation of the Police with Parliament and stressed that with his comments, the Alt Public Order Minister is disputing the security measures at Parliament.
Furthermore, she stressed that the equation of the Police as an institution further encourages the lack of respect towards Parliament, which in turn allows the police to act with impunity. The President of Parliament also claimed that the attacks aimed against her aim to undermine her efforts in tackling major scandals and issues of national interest, such as the Siemens scandal, German reparations and bailout inquiry.
In her statement Mrs. Konstantopoulou underlined that the Garrison of Parliamentary is tasked with security of the House and is the only police force allowed to carry arms on premises. Furthermore, nobody entering Parliament may circumvent or avoid security inspections, including police officers. Such officers are knowingly violating security regulations, she added.
