The demand of Panos Routsi should be satisfied, declared New Democracy MP Dimitris Markopoulos, speaking on Parapolitika 90.1 during the show “Opposite Microphones” with journalists Sotiris Xenakis and Vasilis Skouris. “I’m not giving instructions to anyone, the Justice system is independent and must decide what it considers necessary. However, I believe whatever needs to be done should be done quickly, because we have a person in limbo,” he noted.
“These people who are being tested by the enormous tragedy of Tempe are not our opponents. We need to build bridges with these parents. We’ve wrongly left them at the mercy of every radical, every populist,” Dimitris Markopoulos emphasized. He also said that in some cases the government shows signs of being caught off guard.
Excerpts from Dimitris Markopoulos’ interview on Parapolitika 90.1:
Regarding the demand of hunger striker P. Routsi:
D.MARKOPOULOS: Mr. Dendias and I don’t disagree on what I politically emphasized – that Justice should immediately do what it needs to do because we’re dealing with a human life here. P. Routsi is a tormented man, a father whose life has been destroyed by the Tempe tragedy. Therefore, Justice should do whatever it needs to do quickly. We must not let this case remain pending.
Asked if he believes exhumation should be carried out for toxicological examinations:
D.MARKOPOULOS: From the moment this can be done legally, let it be done. This man needs relief. The case needs to be clarified. I don’t think the government has anything to fear from this, but this person who is suffering, who has been on hunger strike for 18 days, should find a way to get the answers he wants. I’m not giving instructions to anyone, Justice is independent and must decide. I believe whatever needs to be done should be done quickly because we have a person in limbo. Mr. Routsi should be satisfied.
Asked to comment on yesterday’s interview with Ms. Kovesi:
D.MARKOPOULOS: For me, Kovesi is a natural ally of the government. Whatever she reveals is positive for us because a New Democracy government must stand with transparency, not with those who want to hide things. Ms. Kovesi is the natural ally of a government that wants to move with integrity, with transparency, and reveal things that need to be revealed. I never felt Ms. Kovesi was an opponent.
On the OPEKEPE case:
D.MARKOPOULOS: I think Mr. Mylonakis will sooner or later go to the committee and take a position. Since he has made the relevant announcement, it’s simply a matter of time.
Asked if “Frapes,” “Hasapis,” and “Ferrari” should appear before the investigative committee:
D.MARKOPOULOS: I believe they should be called because they were central figures regarding the course of this case. I think the witness list is open by the majority. I estimate they should be called – the majority has nothing to fear from this. In fact, I am one of those who have publicly taken a position against all those who apparently deviate from New Democracy’s principles.
Asked if there’s a coordination problem in the government
D.MARKOPOULOS: I won’t suggest anything to the Prime Minister – he’s more experienced and much more capable than me. In some cases, the government shows signs of being caught off guard. In the Routsi case, for example, I don’t see any plan. It’s not possible, for instance, that the government doesn’t communicate centrally with families who have suffered from this tragedy and that we’ve left these people at the mercy of every radicalized person!
JOURNALIST: And should it communicate with Ms. Karystianou?
D.MARKOPOULOS: The Prime Minister has said we bow our heads to Ms. Karystianou. Since Ms. Karystianou has said that a political party is not in her plans, she has her political views which are absolutely respectable. I believe there’s no reason not to talk to these people. I repeat, these people who are being tested by an enormous tragedy are not our opponents, they’re not against us – we owe them a big embrace. We must build bridges with these people, they’re not our opponents. These families can help us, suggest things to us, even give us legislative proposals we can implement. We need to build bridges with these parents. We’ve wrongly left them at the mercy of every radical, every populist. This is something we need to improve. Here’s a field where the operational state can be improved.
