Throwing leaflets outside Konstantinos Tasoulas’ home was neither an attack nor an act of intervention – it was a foolish stunt with a whiff of fascism. In the etiquette of democracy, politicians’ homes and families should remain off-limits in political disputes.
Anyone wishing to criticize the new president of the republic can protest outside Parliament, write an article, or vent their frustration on social media. There is no need to litter the streets or deface residential buildings, as happened with the homes of journalists Aris Portosalte and Grigoris Psarianos.
Thanks to technology and public discourse, there are plenty of platforms where one can call Tasoulas a “decorative accessory, an indoor plant, or a political ficus” without resorting to such theatrics.
The foolishness of those seeking publicity was quickly matched by the overblown reactions of political parties. Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, perhaps due to inexperience, labeled the act an “attack” (on what exactly – the pavement?) and described the self-styled anarchist group Rouvikonas as “representatives of the worst form of fascism.” Or perhaps he simply lacks historical awareness, given that fascism has only had bloody manifestations.
On the other hand, PASOK was correct in stating that “democracy cannot be blackmailed.” But where exactly did they see the “violence [that] has no place in our society”? Were the leaflets injured as they fell to the ground? Have they forgotten what real violence looks like, just 10 years after frenzied mobs were chasing and, in some cases, assaulting their MPs?
We have often quoted Kostas Hatzis’ song: “You must learn to respect words (…) if you betray them suddenly / words turn into nails / words turn into nails and pierce you.” But distorting meaning wasn’t the only issue here. Left-wing groups like Rouvikonas had two clear objectives – and they achieved both.
The first was maximum publicity at minimal cost – a goal they succeeded in, as we are discussing them now. Does anyone really think it’s a coincidence that this act wasn’t carried out when Tasoulas was being called the “undertaker of Tempe” but instead took place on the day of his election as president?
The second stems from a misguided belief common in such groups – the idea of “widening contradictions” within so-called bourgeois parties and bourgeois consensus. And in this, they succeeded as well. As Marinakis himself said, “It is crucial for opposition parties to reflect on where the tactics of toxicity and slander lead, especially when discussing a national tragedy.” What does he mean? Stay silent, or Rouvikonas will come after you?
Source: Kathimerini
