German MEP Jorgo Chatzimarkakis officially expressed his intentions to form a political party in Greece with the aim of taking part in May’s European elections. The liberal Euro parliamentarian stated his intention to create a new movement with a pro-European line.
He declared through an interview with Real News “We envision a European union that will support its weakest members, that will respect the particularities of its member states, and that will act decisively to tackle youth unemployment.” He added that “This is the time for big decisions in Europe and Greece must try to play a decisive part.”
Liberal MEP said that he will not stand for re-election in the European Parliament because of the anti-Greek attitude of German politicians.
The 46-year-old accused German politicians of using stereotypes to tarnish the image of Cypriots and Greeks and he said “My soul, my spirit does not permit me to continue, so I have decided not to stand again as a candidate in Germany. It is very difficult to get messages across that are not governed by these stereotypes, which would have the Greeks being lazy and Cypriots being gangsters who have to be punished.”
Chatzimarkakis said that anti-Greek attitudes were especially strong within his own party, with Free Democratic Party (FDP) politicians calling on Greece to sell off islands and the Parthenon. “They were so extreme I couldn’t go to the party’s convention.”