References to what transpired yesterday (20/5) in Parliament’s Institutions and Transparency Committee, where EYP (National Intelligence Service) director Themistoklis Demiris was called for a hearing, were included in the speech by Nikos Androulakis, during the discussion on proposals for establishing a preliminary investigation into OPEKEPE.
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Clash between Androulakis and Floridis: What was said in the preliminary investigation discussion
“There were some very critical revelations for the Greek people to understand that New Democracy is a party capable of anything. It is a party and a power system emanating from Maximos Mansion that can use even the darkest and most dangerous practices, as long as it doesn’t lose power,” stated the leader of the main opposition initially.
“They have no principles, no values, no limits. Let me explain: For three and a half years I have over sixty statements from New Democracy MPs, New Democracy Ministers – I’m not counting the staff and friendly journalists, the well-paid water guns of Maximos – who told us: ‘why doesn’t Androulakis go to be briefed by EYP about the reasons for his surveillance? What is he afraid of? What has he done?'”.
Yesterday, then, when the EYP director, Mr. Demiris, came to the Committee, I took the floor and asked him: “Tell me, here, in the Institutions and Transparency Committee and not in private, what are the reasons and where have they been recorded?” And he boldly answered us that he doesn’t know the reasons and there is no record. How far will you go, Mr. Floridis? How much more will you deceive the Greek people? Is there no limit to your political fraud?
What would EYP tell me now and for three and a half years, when its director yesterday revealed that he knows no reason for surveillance? Why? What did you do, then? Three and a half years of mud-slinging, discrediting, innuendos, personal attacks. Why? Because I dared to expose your deep state. Because I dared in July 2022 to walk through the door of the Supreme Court and report the existence of a deep state,” added Nikos Androulakis.
“And your response was to have the deep state attack me for three and a half years with vulgar innuendos. About my political course and my political substance. Yesterday everything collapsed. Everything. Mr. Demiris knows nothing and there is no paper confirming anything from the filth you reproduce in the media now and for three and a half years.
The response, instead of being ashamed, was to threaten us. Pay attention. Faced with my democratic duty to inform the Greek people and fight with all my strength for democracy, I don’t understand, Mr. Floridis, threats. I don’t understand threats. Nor right-wing thuggery. Is the truth a state secret? Does the truth harm our national interests? No. The truth harms lies, darkness and Maximos Mansion. As long as you remain at the country’s helm, you will continuously reproduce the same practices,” he continued.
Indeed, responding to Parliament Speaker Nikitas Kaklamanis, he said “I want to address personally the Parliament Speaker, who had the audacity to make this announcement. In 2022, when EYP came to Parliament again, New Democracy MP Mr. Karagounis said upon leaving: ‘It was clarified that never was the prime minister or his office informed or briefed about any lifting,’ and various other things. Then why didn’t you do anything? Why? A la carte? Now that we learned the truth it’s classified and then it was darkness? You have no limit to your depravity. Does the truth from the mouth of the EYP director threaten national security, but Mr. Dilian’s public blackmail of Mr. Mitsotakis doesn’t threaten it.
Does the truth from the mouth of the EYP director threaten national security, but it doesn’t threaten national security that some have intercepted material from the four chiefs of the Armed Forces and you do nothing?”
“Mr. Parliament Speaker, Nikitas Kaklamanis, with your a la carte sensitivities, when in court a few weeks ago Mr. Tribalis told the audience that he had from Mr. Lavranos the questions that New Democracy MPs later asked him in the Investigative Committee, weren’t you bothered to order an investigation into who organized the forging of a supreme institution of the Greek parliament?
When there were leaks of testimonies in the investigative committee – back then in 2022 – weren’t you bothered? When the previous Parliament Speaker and current President of the Republic made the 3/5 for selection in independent authorities 2.8/5, weren’t you bothered? When Mr. Mitsotakis last summer instrumentalized the postal vote to control his parliamentary group and sent them to sleep early protecting Voridis and Avgenakis, weren’t you bothered? Or rather won’t you be bothered tomorrow either?
When I hear from New Democracy officials that it’s a likely scenario that the investigative committee for wiretapping approved in 2022 with 120 votes, tomorrow will be approved with 151. This is New Democracy. They are dangerous and must leave and it’s in our hands and the entire Greek people’s,” emphasized the PASOK president at another point.
“Really, then, instead of attacking, you should have done your self-criticism today and asked for forgiveness. Georgiadis, Gerapetritis, Mr. Oikonomou and dozens of other New Democracy officials who in your statements for three and a half years say: ‘what is he afraid of and doesn’t go to be briefed?’
I knew very well that you were fooling the Greek people. And yesterday when it was revealed from the mouth of the EYP director, instead of hiding and asking for forgiveness, you continue the depravities,” the main opposition leader also argued.
Floridis: “Massive political blunder” the leak of classified information
For his part, Justice Minister Georgios Floridis responding to Nikos Androulakis, denounced that the leak of classified information constitutes a “profound insult” and “massive political blunder.” “I won’t enter the discussion about criminal responsibilities, this discussion has no place, but there are very serious political responsibilities,” argued Georgios Floridis, while he accused PASOK also because it requested the summoning of the Supreme Court prosecutor in order to, as he said, “control him for his decisions.”
Androulakis: I’ve known you for three decades, look me in the eyes and come to my position!
Nikos Androulakis responding to him, told him: “Look me in the eyes, you’ve known me for nearly three decades. Come to my position. Look me in the eyes, don’t be ashamed. They’ve been threatening me with spy games and vulgarities for four years and yesterday the mockery was proven! What will you do?”, he asked him and emphasized that the leaks don’t threaten national security, but the “deep state.”
“I will not remain silent, corruption and the deep state will pay and it will be broad daylight!”, he said at another point, talking about “Karatzaferis orphans” and the “janissary regiment” within the government. The Rule of Law operates at the highest degree. Mr. Androulakis appealed to Justice, was vindicated as you say, the Council of State decision you say vindicated him. What Rule of Law issue exists then?”, Georgios Floridis replied to him.
