Diplomats in Athens disregard traffic rules

In fact, 151 violations were registered for diplomatic or foreign mission vehicles in 2013. The data had been requested by New Democracy MP Andreas Psyharis, who also wanted to know if fines had been imposed and collected.

Of the 151 violations, 148 were for parking illegally, one for various violations of the driver's code, and one for DUI, to a misdemeanor degree.

Mr Dendias mentioned that fines were imposed in all cases, while in the DUI case the driver was taken into custody and was taken to court.

In his query, Mr Psyharis noted that “at the same time that politicians in several European countries continue to criticize and mock the efforts to stabilize Greece, they continue to behave as if they were in one of their colonies.”

Mr Psycharis added that while Greek diplomatic authorities abroad were under strict orders to respect the laws of host countries and in the event of traffic violations to pay fines immediately in full, foreign diplomats in Greece provoke public sentiment by parking on sidewalks , pedestrian crossings, and wheelchair access points.