Royal party for Pagkalos

By Friksos Drakontidis

While the government finds it difficult to manage, both politically and communicatively, the continuous «delirium» of the vice president, and the intra-governmental murmur is turning into a cry of disapproval, it seems that Theodoros Pagkalos has lost any sense of measure in his behavior.

At a time of deep economic crisis, which has brought many families to their knees, he chose to celebrate New Year’s with his wife Christina Christofaki by staying in the most expensive suite that takes up a whole floor in one of the most expensive and luxurious hotels in Greece. It’s the «King George Palace» in Syntagma, owned by the Daskalantonakis family, whose outstanding issues with the State and the insurance funds remain unresolved.

The opening price for the specific suite is 5.400 per night, excluding the increased rates of up to 50% because it was New Year’s night. Besides his stay, the vice president enjoyed a luxurious meal at 380 euros per person, celebrating the new year with river crayfish, lobster and caviar! Confirmed information from the hotel, documents listing the reservations of that night and audio documents suggest that Pagkalos and his family were hosted at the hotel.

The average citizen, possibly lacking Pagkalos’ insight and experience in the handling of the political system, could very well think that the big hotel group expects some compensation from the government for offering such an expensive gift, especially when it is facing accumulating problems. 

Needless to say, and especially at this period, Caesar’s wife and in this case Caesar himself, not only must be, but also appear to be honest, all the more so when he is called Pagkalos, is vice president of the government, is accusing simple public servants using heavy slang expletives and is the one that rocked the Simitis government with reports on ministers whowere then guests on businessmen’s yachts.

Even if Pagkalos did pay the bill, it is an unbelievable provocation towards the Greek people, whose strength is tested on a daily basis. The luxurious life style and his stay in a 350sq/m suite, when wages and pensions are cut in the name of the protracted austerity, sends the wrong messages and undermines any serious attempt by the government to exit the crisis with grave sacrifices.

Pagkalos considers it a «personal achievement» to go against the current, passionately defending his opinions, even if they don’t coincide with those of the government. Even if we accept such a point, the choices in personal behavior create immense problems.

The stay at the expensive hotel in Syntagma square, to celebrate there the turn of the year with his wife and former candidate for the Saronikos municipality, has proven to be a big mistake that exposes him both politically and ethically.

He stayed in the famous «Royal Penthouse Suite», which is the pride of the hotel. This royal 350sq/m suite has 2 bedrooms, a pool and a jacuzzi on its terrace, and a stunning view of the Parthenon from its living room. In fact, it takes up the entire ninth floor. The vice president checked in on 31/12/2010, which is confirmed by the reservation form published today by «Thema» and by the employees that served Pagkalos and his family. In the form, at the point where his name is mentioned, it is noted that the stay was «complimentary», i.e. free.

How can the vice president accept such an expensive gift from a hotel group with widely known problems and a lot of unresolved issues with the State and the insurance funds? On the other hand, if Pagkalos paid the huge amount from his own pocket, then we are dealing with a grave provocation.