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His election campaign leaflets looks like funeral announcements, one of his campaign video shows him as he takes measures from a co-candidate. Konstantinos Baboulas is the owner of a funeral office in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, and runs for the regional elections. His surname that translates into “bogeyman” matches perfect to his profession. And he takes advantage of it with a storng sense of black humor.
Flying high on a flying coffin.
The candidate takes full advantage of his surname which translates in English into “Bogeyman” and the services he offers to his clients.
Video: Baboulas takes measures from co-candidate Theodoros Mitrakas. Not for his last home but to show if he is taller than the head of the local party.
One of his signature pictures presents him with his obvious tool: shovel.
“To support Baboulas, means to win life, otherwise…” he writes on his leaflets.
“The way to demystify death is with humour,” said Baboulas, who is seeking a seat on a municipal council in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second biggest city.
“We should all try to face our biggest fear, and humor is the best way to deal with it,” he said.
Despite his light-hearted approach, the 31-year-old father said his campaign was no joke. “All my life I complained about local government and then the moment came where an offer was made to me to quit moaning and do something,” he said.
Baboulas, who runs the funeral business started by his father, said he wants to bring entrepreneurial spirit to a public institution so it will better serve residents.
“We should view our municipality as a non-profit business … with the best interests of people in mind,” he said.
As for his name, Baboulas said it suited the family trade but success depended on delivering a good service. “Otherwise, it would have become our gravestone,” he said with a grin.
Video: Baboulas elections campaign ad.
“We all deserve a descent funeral,’ he said.
Baboulas story has made it to international media like reuters and euronews.
The post Funeral office owner runs for Greece’s local elections with gallows humor appeared first on Keep Talking Greece.
