Far-right Greek MPs stage anti-Turkish stance during oaths
ISTANBUL
Greek law makers attend a swearing-in ceremony in the Greek parliament in Athens on May 17, 2012. AFP Photo
Far-right members of the Greek Parliament refused to stand up as three Turkish MPs took their oaths in the first ever meeting of the new Parliament, daily Hürriyet has reported.The 16-member Cabinet was sworn in during a ceremony in the presidential mansion in Athens, followed by the swearing in of Parliament's 300 legislators, who will take their seats for just one day before the body is dissolved for the new vote.
As a custom, members of Parliament greet their colleagues' oath standing up. However, members of the Golden Dawn party refused to comply when Turkish MPs took their oaths.
Meanwhile, members of left wing parties also objected to the oath, stating that it had a religious context due to the phrase "in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit."
Greece's caretaker Cabinet was sworn in yesterday and will lead the country into next month's election. The country's former head of the army general staff, Frangos Frangoulis, has been named as defense minister.
The caretaker government will not be able to take any internationally binding decisions, and its sole aim is to lead the country into the new elections, which will take place on June 17.
