Dimitris Kammenos
| Dimitris Kammenos MP | |
|---|---|
| Δημήτρης Καμμένος | |
| Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks | |
|
In office 23 September 2015 – 23 September 2015 | |
| Prime Minister | Alexis Tsipras |
| Succeeded by | Panagiotis Sgouridis |
| Member of the Hellenic Parliament for Piraeus B | |
|
Assumed office 25 January 2015 | |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | ANEL |
Dimitris Kammenos (Greek: Δημήτρης Καμμένος) is a Greek politician who served for less than one day as Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks in the Second Tsipras Cabinet.
Political career
Kammenos is a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Independent Greeks (ANEL) representing Piraeus B. In the Second Tsipras Cabinet, on 23 September 2015, Kammenos was sworn in as Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks,[1] "on the recommendation of his coalition partner" Panos Kammenos.[2] Syriza MP Vassiliki Katrivanou expressed "disappointment and indignation" at the appointment of Kammenos, and appealed to Alexis Tsipras to remove him from office.[3]
Resignation
On 23 September, following pressure from within the government, Kammenos was asked to step down until, according to party leader Panos Kammenos, "until the truth was established" surrounding his "anti-Semitic and homophobic remarks."[3]
Controversy
In June 2015, Kammenos posted a doctored image on Facebook of the gate to Auschwitz concentration camp, replacing the word "Arbeit Macht Frei" (English: Work Sets You Free) with "We Stay in Europe", mocking pro-EU demonstrators. Kammenos later apologised, saying: "The comparison may have been unfortunate but there is an economic holocaust under way in my country."[3] He was criticised for his statements by the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece and others.[4]
In the past, Kammenos has also insinuated that Jewish people were responsible for the 9/11 terrorist attacks, writing: "And let's not forget that among the 2,500 Jews working at the Twin Towers not one went to work that day."[3]
Personal life
Kammenos is not related to, although he shares the same surname as, the leader of the ANEL, Panos Kammenos.[1]
References
- 1 2 "Controversial Independent Greeks MP Dimitris Kammenos gets post in new government". Kathimerini. 23 September 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ↑ "Greek minister resigns amid row over antisemitic tweets". Reuters. 24 September 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2016 – via The Guardian.
- 1 2 3 4 "New Greek minister Kammenos quits in tweets row". BBC News. 24 September 2015. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ↑ Mackey, Robert (24 June 2015). "Greek Lawmaker Compares Debt Crisis to Holocaust". New York Times. Retrieved 24 January 2016.