By the end of next week, the PASOK is expected to submit its proposal for the establishment of a pre-investigation committee regarding the OPEKEPE scandal, as the risk of statute-barred offenses looms. All indications suggest that the names of former ministers Makis Voridis and Lefteris Avgenakis will be included in the proposal, while the possibility of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis being implicated appears increasingly unlikely.
PASOK officials, based on their current analysis of the case file, claim there is no evidence directly linking the prime minister to the affair. This clarification is particularly important after widespread speculation over the past 24 hours suggested otherwise.
Notably, during an interview with ERT, PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis stated that “Mr. Mitsotakis covered up for a criminal gang within New Democracy.” He also emphasized that the prime minister bears clear political responsibility, noting that two former ministers are under investigation for breach of trust and that the case describes a blue-colored system operating like a criminal organization.
According to sources from Harilaou Trikoupi, responsibilities stem partly from the fact that Mr. Varra — who joined the Maximos Mansion after resigning from OPEKEPE — was part of the prime minister’s advisory circle.
With limited time remaining for submission, PASOK’s Justice Policy spokesperson Christos Kaklamanis and party officials are closely reviewing the case file to ensure that the proposal clearly ties Voridis and Avgenakis to the scandal, avoiding any easy dismissal by the ruling party.
The charges against the two former ministers will largely derive from the indictment compiled by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Importantly, Androulakis has, for the first time, opened the door for other parties to co-sign the proposal, potentially paving the way for joint action with SYRIZA, the main opposition party.
In recent statements, Androulakis reiterated his determination to make PASOK the leading political force in Greece, stressing that unless it becomes the largest party in the upcoming national elections, New Democracy will remain in power—possibly forming a coalition with right-wing allies. He pledged to fight relentlessly against what he described as a “pathological power system” in order to bring about real political change.