SYRIZA submits a bill on gay marriage – Kasselakis to Mitsotakis: “Will you hide behind Voridis”?

Stefanos Kasselakis, leader of the SYRIZA – Progressive Alliance party in Greece, ordered the re-submission of the marriage equality bill as soon as the House opens, in a discussion he had with the SYRIZA fraction leader, Sokratis Famelos.

“Following the Prime Minister's decision yesterday to postpone his own bill, it is my only option”, stresses the president of SYRIZA in a post on X.com, criticising Mr Mitsotakis. “You can't, we can. You are afraid, we are not afraid. All you have to say is this: Yes or no to marriage equality? Are you really for it, Mr Mitsotakis?”, he notes and concludes: “If so, you will be outvoted. If not, you will hide behind Mr. Voridis once again.”.

Μόλις επικοινώνησα με τον Πρόεδρο της ΚΟ του ΣΥΡΙΖΑ, Σωκράτη Φάμελλο, και του ζήτησα, με το που ανοίξει η Βουλή, να καταθέσουμε εκ νέου το νομοσχέδιο για την ισότητα στο γάμο.

Μετά τη χθεσινή απόφαση του Πρωθυπουργού να αναβάλει το δικό του νομοσχέδιο, είναι η μόνη μου επιλογή.…

— Stefanos Kasselakis – Στέφανος Κασσελάκης (@skasselakis) January 5, 2024

In detail the post of the president of SYRIZA PS, Stefanos Kasselakis:

“I just contacted the President of the SYRIZA CO, Socrates Famellos, and asked him, as soon as the Parliament opens, to re-submit the bill on marriage equality.

After the Prime Minister's decision yesterday to postpone his own bill, it is my only option.

And as long as he postpones, hesitates, stonewalls, counts opposition from his conservative MPs and soothes the ears of his far-right voters, SYRIZA moves on.

Mr Mitsotakis, you make us feel like second-class citizens.

When a person is hungry for equality and inclusion, you don't say “wait for me to explain” as you stated yesterday.

There is nothing to “explain” to people in regards to marriage for everyone.

Just as there was nothing to explain to their societies in their time, the leaders who went on to abolish slavery, women's suffrage, gender equality, civil marriage, civil partnerships.

Societies are never ready unless their leaders are ready.

You can't, we can.

You are afraid, we are not.

All you have to say is this:

Yes or no to marriage equality?

Are you truly in favor, Mr. Mitsotakis?

If so, you will vote for.

If not, you will hide behind Mr. Voridis once again.”