Former Greek Minister Makis Voridis has sharply criticized both independent MP Mario Salmas and the PASOK party over their stance on the Novartis case, calling the renewed political focus on the affair a “major mistake.” Speaking on Action24 on Thursday, 23 July 2026, Voridis emphasized that convicted perjurers already exist in connection with the case—highlighting that several witnesses who testified under protective status were later sentenced for false testimony.
Personal and Legal Conflict Between Salmas and Georgiadis
Voridis described an ongoing personal and judicial dispute between Salmas—a former New Democracy MP who now sits as an independent—and Health Minister and ND Deputy Leader Adonis Georgiadis. “Mario Salmas has a legal dispute with Adonis Georgiadis. They’ve gone to court; they’re litigating,” Voridis stated plainly.
He questioned the rationale behind revisiting the Novartis investigation, pointing to a recent text message sent by Georgiadis concerning a protected witness. “Are we reopening the Novartis case because Adonis sent an SMS?” Voridis asked rhetorically. He claimed the message related to a witness allegedly under pressure to give false testimony against Georgiadis and others—an allegation Voridis said had already been examined and dismissed by courts. He noted that Georgiadis later provided official confirmation in another judicial proceeding, asking: “So why does this trigger a call to reopen the entire Novartis case?”
“Convicted Perjurers Exist”
Voridis escalated his remarks, labeling any attempt to revive the Novartis affair as not only misguided but offensive. “Anyone who dredges up the Novartis case is making a major mistake—and it’s an insult,” he said. “We have convicted perjurers. The people who testified wearing hoods were convicted of perjury. The entire case was built on those testimonies—and they were struck down.”
Responding to allegations that Georgiadis intervened with a pharmaceutical company for promotional purposes, Voridis mocked the claim: “Don’t tell me Adonis has trouble getting visibility. One thing Adonis doesn’t lack is visibility.”
PASOK “Has Become the Tail of the Left”
Voridis turned his criticism toward the opposition, accusing the Left of pursuing a “nihilistic opposition strategy” and branding PASOK as politically subservient to it. “What should anyone expect from the left-wing opposition? The Left is running a nihilistic opposition,” he said. “PASOK has become the tail of the Left, hoping to gain electorally from that alignment.”
He cited figures such as Evangelos Venizelos and Andreas Loverdos—both senior PASOK politicians—as evidence of the party’s current ideological trajectory, suggesting their positions reflect PASOK’s broader shift.