Return of Parthenon Sculptures to Greece not a PR game for electoral purposes, SYRIZA MP charges

Greece's cultural treasures and its history "are not the fiefdom of New Democracy (ND), and the return of the Parthenon Sculptures is not a public relations game for ND's electoral campaign," SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance MP Sia Anagnostopoulou charged on Thursday.
She was responding to reports by foreign news agencies and newspapers in the last two days claiming that the Greek government of ND and the British Museum are nearing an agreement for the long-term loan of the sculptures to Greece, in exchange for the loan of other objects to Britain.
"It is unacceptable that the prime minister and the culture minister, alone and in secret talks, are managing this globally top issue of cultural heritage," said Anagnostopoulou, who heads the main opposition's division on cultural issues and who referred to PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Culture Minister Lina Mendoni. "Unfortunately, however, in the case of the Mitsotakis government, it seems that the terms of the social contract have been completely violated, and the foundation of democracy itself is being crushed."
The Syriza MP added that a secretive diplomacy 'à la 19th century' between great powers will not be tolerated, especially such "secret agreements by which loaning and ceding of Greek national wealth is termed 'a return' and 'a repatriation'." Instead, she said, this policy of exchanging antiquities between Greece and Britain "hides the recognition - through borrowing - that the Parthenon Sculptures are the property of the British Museum, and comprises a retreat from the national line on their return."
She then called on the prime minister to avoid "more secrets and lies that will undermine the future of this country" and called on the government to respond.
See also:
Parthenon sculptures could be 'homeward bound', 'The Times' reports