A political storm has erupted between PASOK and New Democracy centered on Nikos Bounakis, deputy head of PASOK’s Agricultural Development Sector, and his involvement in the OPEKEPE scandal. The case involves false declarations of public land around Lake Karla and has caused a serious internal crisis within Nikos Androulakis’s party.
New Democracy attacks PASOK over Nikos Bounakis
The governing party launched a fierce attack against PASOK, linking the official to the OPEKEPE scandal and demanding clarifications. Government sources argue that PASOK is avoiding providing answers, choosing instead to redirect accusations toward New Democracy.
The questions raised by the main opposition concern the timeline of irregularities, the amounts of money involved, and the absence of preventive measures. PASOK’s reaction was immediate, characterizing the attack as “political fraud aimed at distraction.”
Proactive SA company, where Nikos Bounakis serves as CEO, issued a statement condemning the “despicable smear and slander campaign.” The company announced legal action while categorically rejecting the accusations against the PASOK official.
Internal crisis within PASOK over OPEKEPE scandal
The emergence of this case has created serious internal tensions within PASOK. Opposition figures within the party are demanding immediate explanations, while the party’s leadership defends Nikos Bounakis. Characteristic is the position of Haris Doukas, who suggested to party leadership that officials potentially involved in agricultural scandals should be expelled from the party.
PASOK’s official position and call for patience
PASOK spokesman Kostas Tsoukalas told Real FM that “any official involved in the scandal obviously needs to be isolated, but only if they are actually involved.” He emphasized that Nikos Androulakis was the first to express this position.
Tsoukalas called on all officials, including the mayor of Athens, to await official briefing from the relevant sector before making any public statements. He warned that “New Democracy’s continuous propaganda” could exploit premature statements to create impressions.
