SYRIZA proposes the establishment of a preliminary investigation committee for the OPEKEPE scandal, while simultaneously repeating its demand for “government resignation” and “elections.” Today at noon, the SYRIZA parliamentary group presidency will convene to discuss the strategy it will follow regarding the preliminary investigation and potential cooperation with other parties.
Naturally, the question for SYRIZA is which party it will align with, given that PASOK appears reluctant to discuss with Koumoundourou the possibility of a joint proposal for a preliminary investigation committee. At the same time, SYRIZA maintains safe distances from the New Left and Stefanos Kasselakis’s party, as there is history with these two parties regarding cooperation. Of course, if their former comrades from the New Left take initiative for a joint proposal, Koumoundourou will not say “no.” Conversely, they will appear negative in any case toward Stefanos Kasselakis’s MPs. SYRIZA’s interest turns, however, primarily to independent MPs, some of whom would want to sign SYRIZA’s proposal.
SYRIZA on OPEKEPE: “Almost half the cabinet is mentioned by name in the European Prosecutor’s case file,” says Famellos – Message for early elections
Socrates Famellos, in his statements regarding the OPEKEPE case, referred to the parliamentary initiatives that SYRIZA will take concerning the investigation of potential criminal acts by government officials. The SYRIZA president further argued that the preliminary examination “for investigating criminal responsibilities is necessary,” as he pointed out that on one hand “daily revelations about the corruption scandal at OPEKEPE with agricultural subsidies shock the Greek people” and on the other hand “almost half the cabinet is mentioned by name in the European Prosecutor’s case file.”
He added that now “the resignations of a few ministers are not enough.” Under existing conditions, “government resignation is required, elections and a progressive government to deliver justice and regenerate our homeland,” concluded the SYRIZA president, insisting on early recourse to the polls.
At Koumoundourou, they believe that the prime minister, pressured by developments and the bad situation in which New Democracy finds itself due to the new scandal, will want to set up elections in the fall. It is characteristic that many SYRIZA officials referred to this possibility, while Kostas Barkas emphasized that “we are not afraid, like other parties. Elections now to bring down the Mitsotakis system. We don’t look at your personal interest.”
At the same time, it has caused a sensation that SYRIZA MEP Kostas Arvanitis said that “there are other case files on the way.” “Behind the OPEKEPE scandal is a criminal organization with ‘Frapedes’ and ‘Hasapedes,’ which we saw lined up at the same table. They bought consciences, as the European prosecutor herself says. I believe there is distortion of the 2023 result. Period,” stated the SYRIZA MEP and added: “The prime minister confirms it too, ‘for a few votes,’ I say for thousands of votes. This scandal has been discussed in Brussels for two years. The rulers felt so secure that they controlled the state, that we heard there was an issue at OPEKEPE and nothing was done.”
He even mentioned that no matter how many people Mr. Mitsotakis changes, Mr. Mitsotakis must go. “Predator, Tempe, OPEKEPE. Is everyone else to blame and not the misled prime minister? I don’t understand why Greek justice doesn’t intervene ex officio. What does it mean what Ms. Adeilini says that ‘the European prosecutor is dealing with it, we are not dealing with it’? They deceived the taxpayers.”
