New Democracy preparing to say “no” to PASOK proposal for a preliminary investigation into Spilios Livanos and Foteini Arabatzi over OPEKEPE case

New Democracy appears to beryllium shifting its stance connected however it handles the OPEKEPE lawsuit concerning erstwhile ministers, pursuing PASOK’s request—submitted connected Friday—for the constitution of a preliminary parliamentary probe to analyse imaginable responsibilities of erstwhile ministers Spilios Livanos and Foteini Arabatzi successful the discourse of the OPEKEPE 2 lawsuit file.

According to cross-checked information, New Democracy is leaning toward rejecting PASOK’s connection and volition not taxable its ain counter-proposal—either for a preliminary probe oregon a parliamentary inquiry—as it did a twelvemonth agone successful the cases of Makis Voridis and Lefteris Avgenakis. If this holds, the enactment of a preliminary probe committee is considered unlikely, arsenic 151 votes are required, which the absorption does not have.

The aforesaid sources bespeak that this decision—reportedly discussed successful meetings astatine the Maximos Mansion connected May 1—is based connected 2 main reasons. First, an appraisal of the lawsuit record suggests that the grounds concerning Livanos and Arabatzi is highly weak. In fact, Spilios Livanos is not adjacent straight implicated done recorded conversations; rather, references impact his associates.

Second, determination is simply a presumption wrong the authorities that a “red line” indispensable beryllium drawn regarding the broad acceptance of requests originating from the European Public Prosecutor’s Office—a stance that has been debated wrong authorities circles for immoderate time. The determination is besides made successful anticipation of further lawsuit files expected successful the adjacent aboriginal nether a akin framework.

It is considered definite that New Democracy’s presumption volition trigger reactions, conscionable arsenic earlier reactions were provoked by the erstwhile attack of broadly accepting each requests from the European Public Prosecutor. Several authorities officials and ND MPs reason that the handling of the lawsuit truthful far—combined with the “piecemeal” merchandise of lawsuit files and ongoing leaks—creates a presumption of guilt alternatively than innocence for those involved.

It is worthy noting that erstwhile lawman curate Foteini Arabatzi had herself requested the enactment of a preliminary probe regarding her case, portion Spilios Livanos had not explicitly done so. In a connection connected Friday afternoon, Livanos—who remains successful adjacent interaction with the Maximos Mansion—criticized PASOK, arguing that governmental expediency is prevailing implicit the truth, and emphasizing that helium was the 1 who brought the OPEKEPE ungraded to airy successful 2021.

Tensions escalate implicit Independent Authorities

Relations betwixt New Democracy and PASOK person deteriorated significantly, with the authorities present seeking to intelligibly item dividing lines with PASOK’s office connected Charilaou Trikoupi Street. This was evident connected Saturday, erstwhile authorities spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis revealed behind-the-scenes discussions betwixt PASOK person Nikos Androulakis and Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis regarding the filling of 2 vacant positions successful autarkic authorities.

Ultimately, PASOK supported lone the information of Katerina Syngouna for the Data Protection Authority, but not that of Antonis Makrydimitris for the Ombudsman. Government sources pointed retired that discussions with PASOK astatine the highest level had been ongoing for astir 3 months, with the Maximos Mansion aiming to show which broadside is acting with a tone of practice and organization responsibility.

At the acquisition of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Kostis Hatzidakis handled the negotiations connected behalf of the government, maintaining predominant connection with Nikos Androulakis, who had initially taken the inaugural to petition CVs from candidates for the long-vacant positions.

However, according to authorities sources, PASOK reportedly withdrew from the statement astatine the past moment, with Androulakis citing the closure of the wiretapping probe by Supreme Court authoritative Konstantinos Tzavellas—an result helium attributed to the government.

Officials astatine the Maximos Mansion besides judge that PASOK was simultaneously engaging successful discussions with different absorption parties. This is inferred from comments by Zoe Konstantopoulou, person of Course of Freedom, who accused PASOK typical Panagiotis Doudonis of saying antithetic things successful backstage conversations, aft helium announced PASOK’s volition to enactment lone 1 of the projected appointments.