Greek Ecologists
| Greek Ecologists Έλληνες Οικολόγοι |
|
|---|---|
| President | Dimosthenis Vergis |
| Ideology | social progressivism |
| Website | |
| http://www.ecologists.gr/ | |
| Politics of Greece Political parties Elections |
|
The Greek Ecologists (Greek: Έλληνες Οικολόγοι, Ellines Ιkoloyi) (previously Union of Ecologists, Greek: Ένωση Οικολόγων, Enosi Ιkoloyon) is a Greek "fringe"[1] and "bizarre ecological party".[2]
The party's president is Dimosthenis Vergis, a former auto-worker, trade unionist, journalist, and peace activist. Vergis has been described as a "self-styled ecologist"[3] and "a self-styled, modern-day Dionysus – God of wine, revelry and fertility".[4]
Vergis usually deploys naked female party workers in his campaigns and has posed nude for campaign posters and pamphlets, flirting "with any female journalist that comes within groping distance".[5] He supports the legalisation of cannabis[6] and unrestricted nudism.
In 1997, an Athens prosecutor issued a warrant for Vergis' arrest after his party published a poster in which he appeared nude with a smaller picture of International Association of Athletics Federations president Primo Nebiolo inset near Vergis' genitals.[7]
In August 1998, lawyers representing the Archbishop of Athens successfully went to court to prevent the party using a poster in the municipal elections showing Vergis shaking hands with the archbishop.[8]
During the 2000 general election, in which he openly campaigned with semi-nude models, Vergis was described as a "joker" by deputy labour minister Christos Protopappas.[9]
The party was prohibited from participating in the 2004 general election on the order of the Greek supreme court.[10]
In 2009 for the European election the famous trash TV singer Nikos Katelis (well known as Katman) became a deputy for this party. His speech in Kolonaki square was show live on Alter Channel. He lost the elections.
The Greek Ecologists and its leader are not accepted as a Green party by the Ecologist Greens, which enjoys international recognition as Greece's green party. The Ecologist Greens have condemned Vergis, stating: "The public can be assured that the political culture of Ecologist Greens and the Green movement in general has nothing to do with behaviour that makes a mockery or which, through strange - at least - and disastrous interests (such as abuses, money laundering), has damaged the interest in the environment and the political perspectives of ecology in Greece."[11]
[edit] Electoral results
| Results since 1993 (year links to election page) |
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| 2004 |
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| 2007 |
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| 2009 |
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| 2009 |
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[edit] References
- ^ "'Ecologist' party head in land-grabbing row". Kathimerini. 2007-11-20. http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_1_20/11/2007_90276. Retrieved 2009-09-17.
- ^ Nicholas Paphitis, "Press Watch", Athens News, 13 November 1997.
- ^ "In brief", Athens News, 9 September 1997.
- ^ As described by the blurb for ABC Television's broadcast of Dominique Schwartz "Foreign Correspondent" programme, Episode 12, Series 10, 19 September 2000.
- ^ As described and depicted by ABC Television's Dominique Schwartz on the Foreign Correspondent" programme, Episode 12, Series 10, broadcast on 19 September 2000.
- ^ As described by the blurb for ABC Television's broadcast of Dominique Schwartz "Foreign Correspondent" programme, Episode 12, Series 10, 19 September 2000.
- ^ "In brief", Athens News, 9 September 1997.
- ^ "Εξώδικο του Αρχιεπισκόπου κατά του Δ. Βεργή", Ta Nea, 28 August 1998.
- ^ "Political rallies in Athens this week", Athens News, 4 April 2000.
- ^ "Δύο ενστάσεις για τις εκλογές", Ta Nea, 12 March 2004.
- ^ Ecologist Greens, "Election FAQ", July 2007.
