“The desperation of PASOK – Movement for Change is leading its leadership from one mistake to another,” government sources emphasize following the testimony of former OPEKEPE president Kyriakos Babasidis before the Parliamentary Investigative Committee. “PASOK’s silence is guilty, as it failed to respond to what former OPEKEPE president Kyriakos Babasidis claimed yesterday at the Parliamentary Investigative Committee regarding PASOK MP Manolis Chnaris’ involvement in the OPEKEPE case, unless the main opposition leadership agrees with Mr. Chnaris’ absurd claims of ‘lack of jurisdiction,’ when during the disputed period he served as thematic Deputy Regional Governor for the primary sector,” they add.
“Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Giorgos Mylonakis, through his announcements and detailed responses to Parliamentary Questions, categorically refuted the fabrications about alleged briefings of New Democracy MPs regarding legal connections that have been forwarded to the OPEKEPE case file,” government sources further comment.
Criticizing PASOK’s stance, government sources convey the following message: “Now, officially, it can be said that it has become the ‘tail’ of Course of Freedom President Zoe Konstantopoulou and Mr. Vaxevanis.”
New Democracy sources on OPEKEPE investigation: Chnaris involvement puts PASOK in difficult position
“OPEKEPE is not responsible for counting animals. The responsibility belongs to the Directorates of Agricultural Economy and Veterinary Services.” Former OPEKEPE president Kyriakos Babasidis confirmed this long-standing government position just hours ago, according to New Democracy sources. According to “blue” sources, the witness’s testimony during examination at the Parliamentary Investigative Committee not only strengthens the government position but also causes embarrassment for the opposition, particularly PASOK. New Democracy sources cited the case of Rethymno MP Manolis Chnaris, who served as commissioned advisor on primary sector issues from 2018-2029, as well as Deputy Regional Governor for Crete’s primary sector from 3/2017-8/2018 and 9/2019-4/2021, responsible for Crete’s veterinary services, calling on PASOK to conduct its own investigation.
Furthermore, “blue” sources emphasize that it’s worth noting another bombshell revelation about regional involvement emerged today in the newspaper “Nea Kriti.” According to this report, in closed meetings at the Crete Region, officials discussed uncontrolled numbers of animals and livestock operations while the responsible Deputy Regional Governor was playing “traffic cop” with goats and sheep that were increasing exponentially! Additionally, just yesterday the newspaper revealed with documents that in summer 2020, OPEKEPE, during a random sampling inspection, had informed the entire political hierarchy of the Crete Region –including Mr. Chnaris– about the existence of serious irregularities and requested re-examination of data and cross-verification, New Democracy sources conclude.
