Konstantina Kouneva


Konstantina Kouneva[acid throwing|], also known as Kostadinka Kuneva, is a Bulgarian 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. She was
attacked with sulfuric acid on 22 December 2008 and made to swallow it; she lost the sight in one eye and suffered internal organ damage as a result of the attack, an event which sparked protests and clashes with the Greek police during the 2008 civil unrest in Greece.
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.
The attack was described as the most severe assault on a trade unionist in Greece in 50 years.

Education

Kouneva 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.