Government spokesman, Pavlos Marinakis, in in an interview with “Real News”, takes a stand on current political affairs, responding to opposition and criticism of Justice, while also opening the government’s cards on institutional changes and the economy.
The response to Nikos Androulakis and the call for elections
Pavlos Marinakis comments on Nikos Androulakis for elections, claiming that the PASOK president “is asking reluctantly and hopes that it will not be accepted”. As noted, the prime minister has made it clear that the elections will be held in 2027. The government spokesman adds that Androulakis’ biggest problem is not the demand itself, but that “he makes it without answering what program and with whom he will govern”.
The OPEKEPE case and accusations of interference in justice
Responding to the opposition’s accusations of interference in Justice, following the Prime Minister’s request to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office to speed up the investigation, Mr. Marinakis calls it a “failed joke”. He claims that the parties accusing the government “picked their favourite Justice decisions” and that “they had set up a para-ministry of Justice in Maximos”. He stresses that the government fully respects Justice and does not comment on judicial judgments.
On Adonides Georgiades‘s statements, he says the health minister expressed concerns about leaks and the “salamalisation” of cases, and recalls that he has been “hung on the pegs” in the past and was eventually vindicated.
The legislative initiative to speed up cases
The government spokesman explains that the legislative initiative announced by the Prime Minister will be similar to N.4022/2011, which provided for the speedy trial of cases involving state officials, politicians, cases of great social interest and corruption. Recall that the provision was repealed by the Criminal Code passed by SYRIZA before the elections. The aim, he says, is for cases involving political figures to be decided quickly so that those under scrutiny are not left in a “hostage situation”.
The Constitutional Review proposal
Mr. Marinakis clarifies that the Prime Minister’s proposals for the Constitutional Review are divided into two time phases: those presented in February (Article 86, Article 16, parties’ election programmes, President’s term of office) and the recent institutional changes that also concern issues of the electoral law. He stressed that any changes, if adopted, would be implemented after the next elections, which would be held under the current system. On the issue of incompatibility, he notes that there are many arguments in favour of the proposal and that “it is important that a minister at the end of the day is judged by a cross.”
Economic policy and possible new interventions
The government spokesman says that the government has already taken measures to deal with the consequences of the war and that it will not leave citizens unprotected. But he stresses that a “delicate balance” is needed to support households and businesses without endangering fiscal stability. He points out that the economy is “stepping more firmly on its feet” and that, according to the finance minister, the primary and overall surplus performance is expected to be better than expected, but there can be no hasty assessments before the final figures are available.
Turkish reactions to Greece-Cyprus-Israel cooperation
Marinakis comments on reports by the Turkish leadership and some of the Turkish press about the “alliance producing war”. He stresses that Greece is and will remain a force of peace and stability, operating on the basis of international law. It stresses that the country’s alliances are peaceful in nature and not directed against third parties, and that foreign policy is formulated independently, without instructions.
The incident with George Mylonakis and the “jungle of misery”
Referring to the incident at the Maximos Mansion, where Giorgos Mylonakis lost consciousness, the government spokesman expresses his hope that he will soon return to his family. Commenting on the Prime Minister’s references in Parliament to a “jungle of misery”, he notes that some “live and breathe to murder characters”, either through the Internet or in the name of freedom of the press. He adds that victims can be not only politicians, but also doctors, journalists or any citizen. “It is my highest duty as a human being to continue to fight battles against those who fuel hatred,” he concludes.
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