In a scene of extreme polarization, the Greek Parliament is witnessing heated debate over New Democracy’s proposal to establish an investigative committee for OPEKEPE, with the clash between Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Nikos Androulakis monopolizing parliamentary attention. A reference by Kyriakos Mitsotakis to past statements by the late Theodoros Pangalos, who described a meeting with PASOK officials in Crete as a “discussion among thieves,” triggered an intense reaction from Nikos Androulakis. During his speech, the opposition leader turned his fire toward Kyriakos Mitsotakis, saying “the Prime Minister remembered Pangalos. Why didn’t you remember your father?” “There are many videos on YouTube, if you have insomnia at night,” Nikos Androulakis added.
Read: Mitsotakis to Androulakis: You look like a bad copy of PASOK from the ’80s, but without resembling Andreas Papandreou
Immediately after taking the floor, the Prime Minister launched an attack against Nikos Androulakis, saying that the opposition leader “appeared as a bad copy of PASOK from the ’80s, but without Andreas Papandreou’s charisma.” He even spoke of selective morality regarding the fact that the PASOK president supported that some farmers or livestock breeders wrongly “took more” from subsidies, but “they took it themselves.”
Mitsotakis in OPEKEPE debate: You’re always irritated Mr. Androulakis, but today you turned red
“You told us that this OPEKEPE money returned as black political money. Who received the political color? These are baseless accusations that we reject,” he argued, while characterizing the opposition leader’s references to his late father as “tactless.” He also argued that Nikos Androulakis appeared “irritated.” “You’re always irritated Mr. Androulakis, but today you turned red,” the Prime Minister said characteristically.
“Since you mentioned my father, let me tell you that previous generations did politics with different rules. I would believe that our generation would want to leave that behind. You look like a bad copy of PASOK from the ’80s, but without resembling Andreas Papandreou,” he added.
“Personal favors were the way the entire political system operated. In the ’80s we had such scandals, that of agricultural cooperatives and corn, that’s when the green guards flourished,” he said looking toward PASOK’s parliamentary benches.
“Which was the first party in the municipal elections in Mylopotamos Mr. Chnaris? Why are you shouting? You were, after all, a recipient of amounts from the technical solution,” he said addressing PASOK’s Manolis Chnaris, who stood up and began protesting intensely. Indeed, the intervention of Parliamentary Group secretary Dimitris Biagis was needed to calm him down. However, the Prime Minister returned the corruption and entanglement accusations to the opposition leader, arguing that the Tempe “montage” proved PASOK’s relations with corruption systems.
Androulakis’s attack
“I don’t have Andreas Papandreou’s talent and that’s a disadvantage. But I also don’t have your talent for getting involved in corruption and covering up blue boys. My difference from you is a great comparative advantage,” Nikos Androulakis responded.
The PASOK president accused the Prime Minister of distorting what he said about farmers’ subsidies, insisted there was an issue with the “fabricated” Tempe documents, while also referring to the public confrontation between Skertsos and Pyrgioti.
Moments during the investigative committee discussion: videos and images
