Konstantina Kouneva

Konstantina Kouneva
Member of the European Parliament
Incumbent
Assumed office 25 May 2014
Personal details
Born	(1964-09-28) September 28, 1964 Silistra, Bulgaria
Nationality	Bulgarian
Political party	SYRIZA
Children	one son
Residence	Petralona, Greece
Alma mater	St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo
Occupation	Cleaner

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

Attack and reactions

Kouneva was working as a cleaner for the Oikomet company (providing services to ISAP, among other clients, through outsourcing). She was attacked with sulfuric acid (vitriol) on 22 December 2008, an event which sparked protests and clashes with the Greek police during 2008 civil unrest in Greece.

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

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

Education

Kouneva has graduated from the St. Cyril and St. Methodius University of Veliko Tarnovo with a degree in History.

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.

External links

• Personal profile of Konstantina Kouneva in the European Parliament's database of members

• IHT