Panaigotis Paraskevaidis, a member of PASOK, has publicly reacted for the first time after being expelled from the party by its president, Nikos Androulakis. In a statement posted online, he asserted that his role as a parliament member was never an end in itself or a means of livelihood. His remarks came following a controversial comment he made regarding Greek patriotism in extreme situations, which Androulakis cited as the reason for his removal from the parliamentary group.

In his announcement, Paraskevaidis addressed his constituents from Lesbos, Limnos, and Agios Efstratios, explaining that his comments were misunderstood and taken out of context. He chose not to delve into the details of Androulakis's statement or the motivations behind his expulsion, indicating that such matters did not affect him. Instead, he expressed appreciation for his constituents and reiterated his commitment to their interests, independent of party affiliation.

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions within Greek political circles, particularly within PASOK, as the party tries to navigate issues of patriotism and national integrity. Paraskevaidis's comments suggest a willingness to distance himself from party politics if it means staying true to his principles, and the ramifications of this expulsion could signal larger shifts in the landscape of Greek politics as party members contend with internal dissent and differing views on national identity.