A new political clash has erupted between PASOK and Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis, triggered by explosive allegations made in Parliament by former New Democracy MP Marios Salmas — now an independent lawmaker widely seen as leaning toward the Green party.
Salmas’ Allegations Spark Political Firestorm
In a dramatic parliamentary address, Salmas accused Georgiadis of involvement in witness tampering and conflicts of interest related to the long-running Novartis bribery investigation. He called for the case to be reopened and submitted text messages from his mobile phone into the official parliamentary record. According to Salmas, those messages show Georgiadis speaking with then-protected witness Mr. Maniadakis and instructing him to withhold evidence from then-Prosecutor Eleni Touloupaki — in exchange for political support.
Salmas also alleged that Georgiadis solicited payments from private companies to fund media outlets, naming businessman Fotis Froutzis as the intermediary who allegedly coordinated such financial transfers. The aim, Salmas claimed, was to boost Georgiadis’ public profile and advance his political career.
PASOK Demands Accountability
Dimitris Mantzos, PASOK’s parliamentary spokesperson, responded during a plenary session, calling Salmas’ claims a ‘serious escalation’ of the Novartis affair. He stressed that the allegations now directly implicate pharmaceutical companies, media organizations, and senior political figures — and must be examined by judicial authorities.
‘These claims demand scrutiny — at minimum, by the judiciary,’ Mantzos said, adding that the central question is no longer whether the allegations are true, but whether Georgiadis can legitimately remain Health Minister. ‘For everything Mr. Salmas stated from the parliamentary podium, Mr. Georgiadis must answer — both in Parliament and before the courts,’ he emphasized.
PASOK has formally raised the issue of Georgiadis’ resignation, insisting he must respond without evasion to every allegation attributed to him — or step down.
Georgiadis’ Counterattack and PASOK’s Response
Hours later, Georgiadis posted a sharp rebuttal online. He dismissed any dialogue with Salmas outside courtrooms, accusing him of playing a leading role in the original Novartis scandal — and of attempting, unsuccessfully, to become a protected witness in the U.S., only to be rejected by American prosecutors who ‘saw his true character.’
PASOK dismissed the response as ‘personal attacks and communications-driven distractions,’ pointing out that Georgiadis had sidestepped the core accusations. ‘He threw the ball into the stands and pretended not to understand the complaint,’ they said, clarifying that this is not about the broader Novartis conspiracy — but about Georgiadis’ own alleged conduct.
The party reiterated its demand for clear, documented answers — and warned: ‘Until he provides them, he cannot remain Health Minister.’
Regarding Georgiadis’ claim about Salmas’ alleged central role in the Novartis scheme, PASOK challenged him to explain how, as still-serving Deputy President of New Democracy, he consented to Salmas’ inclusion on ND’s national election ballot in 2023 — and ultimately in the party’s parliamentary group.