A fierce confrontation is raging between the government and PASOK over the property owned by Nikos Androulakis’ family in Heraklion that is rented by the Land Registry. PASOK spokesperson Kostas Tsoukalas responded on Friday afternoon in strong tones to government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis, accusing the government of being behind the “targeting” of the main opposition leader.
The clash between Charilaou Trikoupi and Maximos Palace escalated again after statements by Pavlos Marinakis, who responded to Nikos Androulakis regarding the complaint about a “political assassination attempt.” PASOK spokesperson Kostas Tsoukalas argued that the government spokesman “confessed” that the government uses “mud as retaliation” against PASOK’s fight for “transparency and justice.”
Tsoukalas against Pavlos Marinakis: “We will not stop fighting for justice“
In his response, Kostas Tsoukalas accused Pavlos Marinakis of sending the message that “as long as PASOK continues to follow the demands of the European Prosecutor’s Office, the smear campaign will intensify.” “Mr. Marinakis, don’t waste your time. We will not stop fighting for justice and political autonomy,” said Mr. Tsoukalas, going on the counterattack with questions directed at the government.
Among other things, the PASOK spokesperson asks whether the government spokesman will demand that New Democracy ministers who maintain accounts, mutual funds and bonds abroad “return them to Greece,” as well as whether he will ask New Democracy MPs who have legal contracts or property leases with public entities “to terminate them” because they are, according to the government’s public rhetoric, “unethical.”
Particularly sharp was the postscript of the statement: “At the next ‘Truth’ Forum on fake news, organize a discussion with you, Mr. ‘Zhukov’ and Mr. ‘Dimitris Katakouzinos’. It will be an opportunity to meet Mr. ‘Katakouzinos’.”
Marinakis’ statements and the “BYZAN” reference
Earlier, Pavlos Marinakis, speaking on ANT1, had responded to Nikos Androulakis’ statement about a “political assassination attempt,” continuing the clash over the PASOK president’s family property.
“The title I think fits Mr. Androulakis’ behavior is ‘he who sows the wind, reaps the whirlwind,'” said the government spokesman, accusing the PASOK president of choosing to prioritize personal attacks and turn political discussion into an “endless judicial debate” about cases before the courts.
Responding to references about a “fake journalist” and the name “Katakouzinos,” Pavlos Marinakis commented sarcastically: “The only Katakouzinos I know is Konstantinos Katakouzinos from ‘Konstantinou and Elenis.'” He continued in the same tone, referring to the “BYZAN” party from the well-known TV series: “If PASOK continues with these responses, it will have the fate of the ‘BYZAN’ party.”
