Giorgos Chatzimarkakis says members of his party, a junior coalition partner in Germany’s government, have circulated “extreme” ideas regarding policy toward Greece.

Chatzimarkakis, a German European Parliament member of Greek origin, has said he can no longer represent the liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP) or any German party, for that matter.

“The moment I feel more Greek than German, I can’t be an authentic politician in Germany,” said Jorgo Chatzimarkakis. “My mind, my spirit, don’t allow me.”

In an interview with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, Chatzimarkakis castigated Germany and the European Union for their policies toward Greece and belittling of its people.

“It is difficult for me to cooperate with people who have started a campaign against Greece, a country that is going through a very difficult situation”, said Chatzimarkakis and pointed out that, “In Germany, extreme ideas are heard, for example that Greeks should sell their islands and the Acropolis of Athens, to such a point that I cannot stand attending party congresses.”

“It’s very difficult to push through messages that don’t fit stereotypes – such as that Greeks work very hard, even more than Germans. That doesn’t enter the Germans’ minds. They want the lazy Greek as a stereotype, Cypriots as gangsters, country and people who must be punished.”

Chatzimarkakis said he will step down instead of running for re-election.

AMNA



