In Varvitsiotis’ mind

Understanding the intent behind Shipping Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis' statement following the tragic death of 36-year-old Antonis Karyotis is challenging. Karyotis drowned late on Tuesday while attempting to board the Blue Horizon ferry after being pushed into the sea by the crew. Varvitsiotis said, "Today, there are people mourning the unjustly lost; but the families of those who went to earn a wage, a day's pay, and are now being accused of murder, are also mourning."

This statement was entirely misguided and deeply regrettable. Varvitsiotis tried to clarify that he meant something different from what everyone understood, attributing the interpretation to his political opponents attempting to harm him. Ultimately, he issued an apology. However, it's clear that if Varvitsiotis had taken the obvious step, which was to go to his office early in the morning following the...