Leftist minister rejects opposition calls to step down

Education Minister Nikos Filis has reacted to calls from the country’s conservative opposition to step down over controversial comments on a planned anti-government protest on June 15.

Earlier this week, Filis suggested that the planned rally – which has been organized through social media under the hashtag #paraititheite (Greek for "resign"), and which is not officially supported by any of the opposition parties – was just within limits of what is constitutionally permissible.

In a statement Thursday, New Democracy said the leftist minister’s remarks were “anti-democratic” and called on him to resign.

Filis hit back at the allegations later Thursday, accusing New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis of backing a “far-right-oriented” protest movement.

“Neither the government, nor me personally intend to hand out such gift to Mr Mitsotakis,” Filis said.