The OPEKEPE scandal and the search for truth may be bringing SYRIZA and PASOK closer together, but the rumored behind-the-scenes agreement that the party of Harilaou Trikoupi made with New Democracy regarding the heads of Independent Authorities – regardless of whether it ultimately produced no results – has brought skepticism to Koumoundourou.
Meanwhile, the Koumoundourou party and New Left submitted their own proposal for a Preliminary Investigation Committee for OPEKEPE, as despite having approached PASOK to submit the proposal together, Nikos Androulakis preferred to move alone. Thus, the two left-wing parties decided to move on their own, clarifying however that they would also vote for PASOK’s proposal.
Shadows in Koumoundourou – Harilaou Trikoupi relations over Independent Authorities
SYRIZA officials, such as Giorgos Karameros, reacted strongly to the New Democracy-PASOK negotiations over the Independent Authorities. The MP personally attacked the PASOK president, arguing that at the most critical moment, when “the system is trying to bury the wiretapping issue,” the main opposition party was having underground discussions with the government. Specifically, the SYRIZA MP for Eastern Attica stated in his post: “They’re now publicly admitting it since the deal fell through. Mr. Androulakis and Mr. Doudonis were negotiating behind the scenes with New Democracy and Messrs. Mitsotakis and Hatzidakis about filling vacant presidential positions in two Independent Authorities, while the New Democracy system was burying the wiretapping scandal in the Supreme Court. Mitsotakis threw them into the same and worse trap with the Presidential election. The progressive world doesn’t want comfortable opposition, consensus with New Democracy and Mitsotakis, much less a New Democracy-PASOK coalition government with their vote.”
PASOK’s response: “SYRIZA backs New Democracy”
Giorgos Karameros’ statement brought a reaction from PASOK, which emphasized in its announcement: “Mr. Karameros, following the wise folk saying, is ‘closing the door for winter.’ That’s why he started personal attacks against the PASOK President. ‘Comfortable’ opposition is one that gets crushed by a failed government. While Mr. Mitsotakis and his government are collapsing in scandals and corruption, SYRIZA officials choose to back New Democracy by attacking PASOK. Was Mr. Tsipras also ‘comfortable’ when he made deals with New Democracy to appoint the composition of the National Council for Radio and Television? The democratic world judges. Either with PASOK or with Mr. Mitsotakis’ cronies.”
The truth is, however, that according to information, there was an agreement between the government and PASOK regarding the heads of Independent Authorities which, according to the government, Harilaou Trikoupi blew up. From Maximos Mansion, they even insist that there is relevant correspondence. Regarding the argument about Alexis Tsipras, SYRIZA officials say that timing always plays its role and at this particular moment, conditions are far from favorable. Giorgos Karameros attributed the main opposition’s irritation to Kastanidis’ resignation and what the former PASOK MP said about Nikos Androulakis.
Zachariadis’ arrows
But SYRIZA spokesman Kostas Zachariadis, after referring to the reasons SYRIZA submitted its own proposal for a Preliminary Investigation, saying that “we were working on this proposal with serious documentation and elaboration and I think it has some differences from PASOK’s proposal regarding the documentation of crimes that have been committed,” appeared to criticize PASOK for the agreement the main opposition party made with New Democracy at GSEE. Answering in an interview whether SYRIZA would vote for Harilaou Trikoupi’s proposal to establish a Preliminary Investigation Committee, he stated: “Our line doesn’t change on these issues. The question is why other political forces, in this case PASOK, operate on these issues with self-reference. We will vote for the Investigative Committee, but should we vote for these things in Parliament and the same day they go and make deals with DAKE at GSEE? Is this possible! Is this a clear stigma and clear political line?”
SYRIZA: “Cover-up” behind the “no” to Preliminary Investigation
Koumoundourou officials insist, however, that the government’s “no” to the Preliminary Investigation for the “blue” OPEKEPE scandal constitutes another cover-up attempt. They point out that “while they voted to lift MPs’ immunity, citing investigation by Justice, they refuse the obvious for ministers: the Preliminary Investigation. Why? What are they afraid of and what do they want to hide? This isn’t about ‘chronic pathologies,’ but specific practices with political overtones and responsibilities of current governance.”
New Left: “Are there indications for MPs, but not for ministers?”
New Left also pointed out that there cannot be “Indications for MPs, and ‘no indication’ for ministers.” “On one hand, the New Democracy government refuses to establish a Preliminary Investigation Committee for Livanos and Arabatzis due to ‘lack of evidence,’ while on the other hand it has voted to lift immunity for 13 MPs for the same case,” say Patision officials, adding that “This creates a clear contradiction: there are indications for MPs, but not for ministers. Furthermore, those who had declared they were putting themselves at the disposal of authorities, today avoid investigation, creating concern about their stance. Characteristic is also Karamanlis’ case, as his immunity was lifted, but investigation is rejected for the then responsible minister, Mr. Livanos.”
