Political tension over the carpets of the Ministry of Tourism – 2024-09-23 17:08:26

Legends of flying carpets date back to the time of King Solomon, who was even said to have a carpet sixty miles long and sixty wide, capable of carrying 40,000 men. Since then, there have been several legends mainly originating from Eastern countries about magic carpets. The Ministry of Tourism did not procure carpets with magical properties, but their purchase provoked the reflexes of the opposition.

The clarifying statement issued by the ministry did not stop the sharp criticism made by the parliamentarians, while there are also many comments on social media. The government representative was appointed for this matter, while a clarifying statement was issued by the ministry.

The announcement emphasizes that “the Ministry of Tourism, as par excellence the Ministry of Outreach, has as its main mission the promotion of the image of our country. In this context, a crucial part of its work is the reception of people from all over the world who represent, among others, states and institutions in this vital sector for Greece. In this context, it was deemed necessary to renew the equipment and upgrade our infrastructure, a process that had been delayed for more than fifteen years.”

The cost of two blue Persian rugs, according to a document published in Diaugia and signed by the minister, amounts to 17,890 euros. In the public document of the market there is a detailed description of each carpet, which as stated are:

1) A handmade rug, Persian Nain, wool and silk, in a blue background color with a central rosette and corners. Dimensions: 4.30X3.03=13.03 sq.m.

2) A handmade rug, Persian Nain, wool and silk, with a repeating pattern on a white background and a blue border. Dimensions: 3.60X2.77=9.97 sq.m.

Criticism from the opposition

From the side of SYRIZA, the MP Christos Giannoulis declared from the Parliament’s peristyle that “with all due respect to political figures, no magic carpet leads to a fairy-tale life. No one can behave like this with public money, management of public money is a sacred obligation, we also take into account the current situation, precision where thousands of our fellow human beings are close to taking the mess from their homes.” The MP Alexandros Avlonitis also used a critical tone, saying about Olga Kefalogianni that “she comments on other parties but doesn’t see what is happening around her, in society?”.

The State Member of PASOK, Dimitris Manzosspoke of a “behavioral model of Marie Antoinette”. Speaking to the Plenary of the Parliament, Mr. Manzos said that “we have gone through a deep fifteen-year economic, social, moral crisis. And yet, what can a citizen say when he learns that the Ministry of Tourism spent many thousands of euros on the renovation of the Minister’s office”.

The PASOK MP, in fact, pointed his arrows at the Minister of Health, saying that he “rushed to defend his colleague. Speaking of the need to welcome clients in a beautiful office. “Customers” – what cynicism. And how honest. This is how Mr. Georgiadis sees investors. Customers we are trying to sell everything we have? Mind you, he has been Minister of Development and Investment. As if the Minister of Tourism is a saleswoman. As if foreigners are buying Greece because the Minister has nice designer carpets. It’s like saying that in order to have shipping, the Deputy Minister must travel by boat.”

The comment of Adonis Georgiadis

Earlier, the Minister of Health, responding to a comment on the X platform, among other things said: “Yes the Minister of Tourism should have a beautiful office, she meets our foreign clients and brings clients to the country. Her job is to do that, not to be in a mess. The junk remains the property of our State and all States, yes don’t be shocked, also buy things to decorate their public buildings.”

What did the government representative answer?

In yesterday’s briefing for political editors, the government representative, Pavlos Marinakis, answered the questions he received on this matter. As he explained, this particular ministry invests in extroversion and attaches great importance to image. However, the government representative also left a footnote that “we certainly have to be very careful when talking about Greek taxpayers’ money”.

What does the Ministry of Tourism say?

Regarding the publications concerning the supply of logistical equipment and items for the upgrade of the visitor reception areas, the following is clarified by the Ministry of Tourism:

The Ministry of Tourism, as par excellence the ministry of extroversion, has as its main mission the promotion of the image of our country. In this context, a crucial part of its work is the reception of people from all over the world who represent, among others, states and institutions in this vital sector for Greece.

In this context, it was deemed necessary to renew the equipment and upgrade our infrastructure, a process that had been delayed for more than fifteen years.

This renewal was done with absolute transparency, following all the prescribed legal procedures and in accordance with the provisions in force for public contracts for works, supplies and services.

The improvement of the reception areas is deemed necessary to ensure excellent hospitality and service to visitors, in the context of actions and works to promote Greek tourism, as well as to highlight the positive image of our country at an international level.