Belgian authorities have requested the European Parliament to lift the immunity of Greek MEP Alexis Georgoulis (EU Left) after an EU Commission employee filed a complaint of sexual harassment. The MEP rejected the complaint as a “lie” one month before the national elections.
After the announcement by EU Parliament chief Roberta Metsola, Georgoulis was immediately dismissed from the Syriza party.
According to press reports in Athens, the incident occurred in 2020 and concerns a former employee of the European Parliament currently working for the European Commission.
The plaintiff is also an active member of the Greek socialist party (Pasok) and is expected to run in the upcoming elections.
Skai TV channel reported that the two used to have a relationship.
The issue will be discussed at the European Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI), and then the lift of his immunity will be voted on in the plenary.
“To my great surprise, I am informed that an obviously false and slanderous complaint has been filed against me for an incident that allegedly happened three years ago. In the face of this false and insulting attack, which takes place – probably not by chance – a few days before the national elections, I intend to fight my battle in justice, for the truth and the restoration of my name, requesting the removal of my immunity”, Georgoulis noted.
The ruling New Democracy party (EPP) lashed out against Syriza, asking for explanations, while Pasok noted that MEP’s hint related to the upcoming elections is nonsense.
“The request to lift the immunity of Mr Georgoulis is the product of an investigation by the Belgian authorities following a complaint made in 2020 […] The procedures followed by the Belgian authorities are within their competence and are not ‘dictated’ by third parties, as some implied”, Pasok said in a statement.
Greece will hold elections on 21 May, and Pasok is expected to play the kingmaker’s role in forming a government.
Both conservative New Democracy (EPP) and main opposition Syriza (EU Left) need to partner with Pasok to form a government according to a new electoral law that will apply for the first time.
(Sarantis Michalopoulos | EURACTIV.com)
Source: euractiv.com
