A) Sexual harassment, rape, child abuse

In recent times we have witnessed a number of revelations about sexual harassment, rape and child abuse. Child abuse is the crime of crimes. And for this crime, the harshest penalties are needed.

The issue of sexual harassment concerns society as a whole. Unfortunately, it exists in many areas. It exists where there are power relations and dependencies.

Fortunately, the silence has been broken and fear is shifting from the victims to the perpetrators. It is time for victims to stop fearing and for perpetrators to start fearing. Society's sense of justice demands that the matter be clarified. Justice is already taking its course.

And then a miracle happens! SYRIZA arrives and turns the issue of child abuse into a partisan matter. It begins attacking the government. Thus, the issue moves from the social sphere to the party arena and is debased. Here the saying fits: SYRIZA spoiled everything. Why? Does SYRIZA perhaps feel guilty about this issue?

B) SYRIZA in favor of the murderer Koufodinas

The murderer Koufodinas has been on hunger strike with the demand to be transferred from Domokos prison to Korydallos prison. Immediately, SYRIZA supporters moved in sympathy to help him. At first, 17 SYRIZA officials and 68 university professors supported him in a statement. Later, almost the entire SYRIZA party joined in, along with Alexis Tsipras.

Note that murderer Koufodinas has not repented for the eleven murders for which he was convicted. Also note that, for our exhausted and bankrupt political and judicial system, eleven murders amount to twenty-five years in prison. The question is: are the SYRIZA people, with their claim to moral superiority, standing with an enemy of morality and democracy?

At times, rights activists, Rubikons and other small groups shout so that we can hear them supporting Koufodinas. But, and this is the strange part, SYRIZA officials also shout and demand his release, because he is considered a political prisoner! Wonderful. You murder eleven ideological enemies and demand that the state let you stroll through the places where you executed your victims!!!

Fine, for Rubikons and the little groups. But when Mr Voutsis speaks in Parliament of a “vengeful act” against Koufodinas, he goes beyond all sense of logic and justice. The same applies to Mr Tsipras, when he asks for “preferential treatment” for Koufodinas.

Of course, the sensitivity shown toward Koufodinas's life is not convincing. It is not convincing because SYRIZA does not show the same concern for other human lives. Its interest is limited to SYRIZA's “own people,” not humanity in general. And that is called left-wing sensitivity. In other words: I do not care about the eleven dead killed by Koufodinas. I care about the murderer Koufodinas. Is there a sensible person who can accept this logic and this justice?

But why does SYRIZA shout in favor of Koufodinas? Because, according to the polls, it still has around 20% of the electorate. If it were below 3% (its true strength), it would not be in Parliament and no one would listen to it. That is why the question is addressed to the citizens who still support SYRIZA: do they approve of SYRIZA's sensitivity for the murderer Koufodinas? That is the critical question.

I have the impression that only a small minority, located in SYRIZA's leadership group, cares about Koufodinas receiving preferential treatment. The vast majority of SYRIZA's officials and voters oppose the pampering of a murderer.

SYRIZA's policy on these two important issues is disappointing. It reveals its emptiness and decay. In addition, it offends the people's sense of morality and justice.

Can such a policy resonate with the public? Certainly not. The people do not tolerate child abuse, and they do not tolerate terrorism. That is why they ask: why does SYRIZA pursue this policy on these two important issues?

Paulos Marantos

marantosp@gmail.com