New Democracy press spokesperson Alexandra Sdoukou responded to the new case allegedly involving a person connected to Harilaou Trikoupi street in the OPEKA affair, stating “I can only interpret PASOK’s attempt to dress up their official’s case as a supposed ‘blue scandal’ as a carnival comment, and this shows their dead end.”
Speaking on Wednesday morning on Action 24, Alexandra Sdoukou sent a message of “zero tolerance” towards corruption phenomena, while emphasizing the government’s “absolute confidence” in institutional function. New Democracy’s press spokesperson stressed that “the presumption of innocence applies absolutely” and that responsibilities “are not collective but personal,” noting that where evidence of involvement emerges, “cases come to light” and competent authorities seek accountability. Regarding the OPEKA scandal, she criticized PASOK for how it handles public discussion around investigations of its officials, stating that “in politics, whatever anyone says comes back to them.”
Alexandra Sdoukou: The fact that more cases emerge doesn’t necessarily mean increased corruption phenomena
Alexandra Sdoukou referenced recent cases that occupied current affairs – “one with Mr. Androulakis’s best man, one with Mr. Panagopoulos’s case, one now with their official who suspended his party membership” – commenting that “many are accumulating together.” She accused Harilaou Trikoupi street of previously “putting labels” and attempting to “judge” cases, while today attributing responsibility to New Democracy for cases involving their own officials under investigation, “without self-criticism.”
She also argued that the fact more cases are emerging doesn’t necessarily mean increased corruption phenomena, but intensified controls. She spoke of “clear political will” for control mechanisms and institutions to function “independently,” referring to the Financial Police, SDOE and Justice, while noting that where required, European institutions like the European Prosecutor’s Office “very correctly” intervene, aiming for complete clarification.
Connecting the issue with the “reform effort” for state modernization, Alexandra Sdoukou spoke of pathologies and “deep state,” insisting that what’s crucial is the political will “to uproot lawlessness” and ensure there’s no “slightest tolerance.” “No one is above the law,” she said, adding that whoever breaks the law will face Justice.
In another part of her statements, she referred to Zoe Konstantopoulou, speaking of a “repeated pattern” that doesn’t honor public dialogue and estimating that the goal is “to create commotion and noise.” Concluding, she mentioned that New Democracy addresses citizens who “desire responsibility and solutions,” arguing that “life improves through policies and not through shouting.”
