Greek right-wing parliament member Gerogios Karatzaferis wrote a letter to the European parliament about the video of Anna Vissi's everything. His written question accuses Vissi and those behind her video of bringing “Greece and, by extension, the European Union into disrepute”. The entire situation seems to be a storm in a glass of water.
“Third world situation”
He opens his question by suggesting that broadcaster ERT has chosen not to use the video to promote tourism, something he claims to be the norm for Eurovision Song Contest preview clips. The politician seems to forget that not the broadcaster, but usually a record company initiates a music video. He adds that, “the video clip in question shows scenes redolent of a third world situation which is offensive to Greeks and Europeans alike”. He continues; “In one scene, for example, a number of youths steal the singer's bag when she stops her car at a petrol station, while in a subsequent shot, the singer manages to escape from a police patrol car while the police officers try to deal with another incident, an image which attempts to show the 'incompetence' of the Greek police. In addition, a lorry driver appears to sexually harass the singer”.
Controversy
Karatzaferis was expelled from the liberal-conservative New Democracy party, and currently leads the Popular Orthodox Rally said to have ties with the most conservative wing of the Greek Orthodox Church. He has courted controversy with remarks labeled as anti-Semitic and despite being vice-president of the Eurosceptic Independence and Democracy group, is a member of the European Parliament. His party's views, ideas, and electoral campaigns are often broadcast and promoted by the private Greek TV channel TeleAsty, which he founded and owns. The channel has repeatedly been accused in Greece of harboring a xenophobic agenda.
Storm in a glass of water
Like the European Parliament has nothing better to do, the initiative of Karatzaferis seems nothing more than a storm in a glass of water. Vissi is currently touring Europe to promote her song and revealed this weekend that she will be alone on stage in Athens when she sings at the song contest final. Everything continues to score well in fan polls and bookmakers are offering ever-shorter odds on Greece winning for a second consecutive year.
