The exchange of sharp accusations over the case of Diamantis Karanastasis escalated in Parliament, with the president of Plefsi Eleftherias (Freedom Movement), Zoe Konstantopoulou, defending that he did not “steal” the parliamentary seat. She even attempted to play a video from her phone during the session, provoking a strong reaction from the parliamentary presidium. The Minister of Health responded, saying, “This blatantly and rudely violates all rules.”

Konstantopoulou referred to the Minister of Health as a “liar” and compared his actions to divisive behavior, arguing that Mr. Karanastasis did not unlawfully take the parliamentary seat in Athens A’ since her party failed to enter Parliament in the May elections. She claimed that in the June 2023 repeat election, Eleni Demopoulou, who had received the most preference votes, “voluntarily” gave up her position to the well-known actor.

Konstantopoulou also attempted to broadcast a TikTok video from the parliamentary floor criticizing government officials and New Democracy MPs regarding the Karanastasis case, which led to a strong reaction from the presiding officers.

Vice President of Parliament Vasilis Villiardos intervened: “What you are doing is not allowed.” Konstantopoulou insisted, “Where does the regulation say that? What you say is not true.” Villiardos replied, “The rules don’t forbid dancing in the plenary either, but it’s better not to do that.”

Responding to these claims, Georgiadis said:

“God loves both the thief and the honest man. But you are the liar. You said it’s false what we say about Karanastasis’s appointment. You said he wasn’t appointed because Ms. Demopoulou voluntarily gave up her seat. Let’s accept that is true. Then Mr. Bibilas, who ‘stole’ the seat of Ms. Dalla who did not give it to him, should resign.”

The dispute ignited when Konstantopoulou took out her phone and started broadcasting the TikTok post.

Villiardos: “That’s not allowed. Please stop.”
Konstantopoulou: “What’s not allowed?”
Villiardos: “Why insist? Do you think anyone can come here with a video and a tape recorder?”
Konstantopoulou: “Please.”
Villiardos: “Are you done?”
Konstantopoulou: “What you are doing is inappropriate. You are even afraid of parliamentary videos. What a shame, what disgrace.”
Georgiadis: “I’m ignoring this last show with the video. It’s unacceptable. It blatantly and rudely violates everything. You took a party from zero—and good for you—and got it into Parliament, and now you are beneath the Voice of Reason from Latinopoulou. The election law with lists within 18 months of previous elections was made so candidates wouldn’t be financially exhausted. But it came with a commitment to respect the popular will of the first election. The candidate with the most preference votes comes first on the list. It was not made to allow the party leader to put whoever they want in Parliament. The leader has the privilege to form the national list.”

“All ministers are appointed. We are elected as MPs and appointed as ministers. What did you do? I respect the great affection you show for Karanastasis, but this has no connection to politics. Mr. Karanastasis did not run for election preference votes.”

“That was a mistake. He was famous and could have been elected. But he did not run. Your argument that no one lost their seat because you weren’t in Parliament is sophistry. Respect regards the order of ranking.”

“Not all parties did this. Only Plefsi Eleftherias, Spartans, and Niki did.”

Konstantopoulou: “You have been exposed as the liar you are. Incorrigible liar. You justify the unjustifiable. You kept saying that MPs were elected and that the current MPs of Plefsi stole their seats. You were the one saying it, and you are a liar. In May, Plefsi had no MPs. It’s a huge lie you invented to attack Plefsi and Karanastasis. You did it deliberately on Mitsotakis’s orders. Other parties did the same. The Communist Party too.”

Lamproulis: “You are a liar.”

Konstantopoulou: “Didn’t you ask Ms. Fonsou or Ms. Digeni to resign? Didn’t New Democracy denounce those then? Plefsi bothers you. Our MPs are all fighting people. They’re not my friends. We are not like you and Semertzidou. Nor do we have gold bars in Swiss accounts.”

Georgiadis: “God loves the thief but also the honest man. Let’s see your claim; let’s see who’s lying.”

Konstantopoulou: “You are.”

Georgiadis: “Please, Mr. Speaker, protect me.”

Villiardos: “Please don’t do that, Ms. Konstantopoulou.”

Konstantopoulou: “You didn’t protect me before.”

Villiardos: “But you showed a tape recorder. What can I say?”

Konstantopoulou: “Is it forbidden by the Rules?”

Villiardos: “Does the Rule forbid dancing here?”

Konstantopoulou: “What you are doing serves the government.”

Georgiadis: “God loves both the thief and the honest man.”

Zoe: “You are a liar.”

Georgiadis: “Stop interrupting, enough with the insults. Don’t you have any manners? You come to Parliament and lecture us.”

If what you said about Mr. Karanastasis is true, that he was voluntarily given the seat, then Bibilas should resign. He took Ms. Dalla’s seat without her consent. Either Karanastasis rightfully holds his seat and Bibilas does not, or vice versa. That’s how you know who’s lying. You come here supposedly supporting women. Why did you cut three women to put in three men?”

“You, together with Kasidiaris, brought down the Samaras government.”

Konstantopoulou: “I’m laughing because you are a genuine liar. You lost control and revealed your divisive face. Take a breath. You are overcome by lying. It is your second nature.”