The far-right party leader rebuked homophobic comments

Spartans Party chairman Vassilis Stigas (right) is seen in parliament shortly before the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected lawmakers in Athens, on July 3, 2023. (Giorgos Vitsaras/AMNA)

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Olga Gerovasili had to ban the leader of the far-right Spartiates (Spartans) party from entering the House of Representatives on Thursday after he made a homophobic remark aimed at the prime minister’s chief economic adviser.

During a tirade against government policy regarding unemployment benefits for tourism workers and specifically targeting Alex Patelis, Vassilis Stigkas referred to the New Democracy official as “he/she, I don’t know.”

His comment prompted an immediate response from Gerovasili, who removed his comments from the report.

Patelis responded to the attack on X by posting a photo with the popular anti-fascist slogan “I will not be afraid.”