European Parliament President Martin Schulz lamented on Monday the decision by new Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to renew a coalition with the small right-wing Independent Greeks (ANEL) party.
Speaking to French Inter radio, Schulz said he could not understand Tsipras’ decision to bring ANEL back into government, a party that received only 3.7 percent of the vote. ANEL leader Panos Kammenos and his MPs have often expresses far-right wing views, contrary to SYRIZA’s left ideas and rhetoric.
“I called him (Tsipras) a second time to ask him why he was continuing a coalition with this strange, far-right party,” Schulz said.
“He pretty much didn’t answer. He is very clever, especially by telephone. He told me things that seemed convincing, but which ultimately in my eyes are a little bizarre.”
Kammenos has commented that the bailout by the European Union, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund has reduced Greece to the status of a debt colony. In the past, party MPs have also expressed controversial views on migration issues and made homophobic statements.
Schulz said he admired Tsipras for the way he handled his party and campaign and managed to get himself re-elected, but said Kammenos was unpredictable and difficult to be controlled.
“It’s politically and strategically something that you have to admire,” he said. “But after … this renewed mandate with this far-right, populist party, that I don’t understand.”
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