Konstantina Kouneva

Konstantina Kouneva
Κωνσταντίνα Κούνεβα
Member of the European Parliament
In office
25 May 2014 – 2 July 2019
Personal details
Born (1964-09-28) 28 September 1964 (age 60)
Silistra, Bulgaria
Nationality
Political partySYRIZA
Children1
Residence(s)Petralona, Greece
Alma materSt. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo

Konstantina Kouneva (Greek: Κωνσταντίνα Κούνεβα, born 28 September 1964), also known as Kostadinka Kuneva (Bulgarian: Костадинка Кунева), is a Bulgarian immigrant in Greece, trade unionist and secretary of the Greek Trade Union of Cleaners and Housekeepers.[1] She was elected as an MEP in the 2014 European Parliament elections.

Attack and reactions

Kouneva was working as a cleaner for the IKOMET company (providing services to ISAP, among other clients, through outsourcing). On the night of 23 December 2008, and while on her way home from work (Kouneva had repeatedly requested a shift in the morning hours, but was always denied), she was attacked by unknown assailants with sulfuric acid (vitriol), leaving her face horribly disfigured, and resulting in the loss of sight in one of her eyes. Kouneva was also reportedly forced to swallow a portion of the acid, something which completely destroyed her esophagus and heavily damaged other internal organs.[2][3] This event sparked protests[4] and clashes with the Greek police during the 2008 civil unrest in Greece.[5]

The protests, which included banners reading "Konstandinka, you're not alone", continued at least until 22 January 2009 and numbered 3,000 people, with tear gas being used by the MAT police forces.[6]

The attack was described as the most severe assault on a trade unionist in Greece in 50 years.[1]

Education

Kouneva graduated from the St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo with a degree in History.[7][when?]

Politics

She was elected to the European Parliament as a candidate of the left-wing SYRIZA party in the European Parliament election held on 25 May 2014.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b "Kuneva case – the most severe assault on trade unionist in Greece for 50 years". FOCUS Information Agency.
  2. ^ "Bulgarian union protests Greek attack". Associated Press. 30 December 2008. Archived from the original on 23 February 2009 – via International Herald Tribune.
  3. ^ "Επίθεση με οξύ κατά συνδικαλίστριας του σωματείου καθαριστριών". in.gr (in Greek). 24 December 2008.
  4. ^ "Konstantina Kouneva more soli acts + Galeano & Einstein - Industrial Workers of the World". iww.org.au. Archived from the original on 31 May 2009.
  5. ^ "Protesters clash with riot police over acid attack on syndicalist cleaner in Athens". libcom.org.
  6. ^ Nick Squires (23 January 2009). "Athens erupts in violence after acid attack on immigrant". Telegraph.co.uk.
  7. ^ "Τα βιογραφικά των υποψήφιων ευρωβουλευτών του ΣΥΡΙΖΑ" (in Greek). Αυγή. 29 April 2014. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  8. ^ "Ποια είναι η Κωνσταντίνα Κούνεβα" (in Greek). επτά ημέρες. 27 May 2014. Archived from the original on 3 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.