Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was again the target of stinging criticism over the weekend, although this time the source of ridicule was none other than well-known Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis, a nonagenarian leftist “icon” in the country.
In an “open letter” addressed to Tsipras and posted on Theodorakis’ website, the latter takes aim directly at the Greek prime minister’s visit, presence and statements in Havana last week, where he travelled to pay homage to the late Fidel Castro. This time, however, criticism against Tsipras was aimed from a distinctly leftwing angle.
Tsipras, whose popularity is collapsing, as far as opinion polls over the last few months are concerned, was the only European head of government to travel to Cuba for the Castro memorial service.
“Comrade Alexis, I have to hand it to you, you are crafty; the craftiest bloke in Greece since 450 BC until today; because you do as you please without considering anyone. You use your personal (corporate) jet, fill it with friends and head off for Cuba, leaving the bill, 300,000 USD, left to be paid by the suckers, who get paid 300 euros a month, at best,” was the beginning of the uncharacteristically harsh reaction towards Tsipras, whom Theodarakis once praised.
“You speak from the Plaza de la Revolucion, where Fidel spoke as a genuine and tough revolutionary … you act the part of revolutionary and when you return (to Greece), you again become what you were, a child that runs the errands of Merkel, Obama and Juncker, the ones who you pilloried in Havana…”
