In States of law-because PASOK likes to talk about it-there is a presumption of innocence.

In states of law where there is a presumption of innocence which the opposition appears to destroy constantly and on occasion while, however, it retains as a member a convicted and “applauds” another deputy who protests the institutions and threatens journalists, referred to the deputy of West Athens of the New Democracy, Maria Syreggela in the ACTION24 TV show “The Next Day” with Serafim Kotrotso.

“The distinction of powers (judicial, legislative, executive) is constitutionally enshrined. It is clear that there is political criticism. We have all read the documents and now have an opinion. We have also seen during the plenary session on the waivers of immunity of politicians whose names are mentioned in the Documents for the OPEKEPE speeches that were both serious and well-researched.

In the rule of law – because PASOK likes to talk about it – there is a presumption of innocence. There have been too many waivers of immunity in Parliament, both on the part of PASOK and Syriza, some not for such serious matters but others for very serious ones. No MP or New Democracy official has ever come out to say “why do you have these people on your ballot papers or in your parliamentary group?” while at the same time we have seen convictions in the past for PASOK and SYRIZA politicians. So far, from the New Democracy side, I remember the Vatopedi case in the past, about which there was a big noise from the opposition side at the time. Some people were accused, the same people were acquitted, that is why we talk about the presumption of innocence. And because we are talking about Adonis Georgiades, let’s not forget, the recent Novartis case, for which he was acquitted. At the same time, on the PASOK side, we have had convictions in the past, as well as in SYRIZA, which remains in the parliamentary group.

The previous period of time what bothered us MPs the most, and I think not just the New Democrats, that should bother MPs of all parties, is that we were hearing people – long before a brief came to the House – being convicted or being assumed to be in the brief…

Of course we respect the Eprosecutor’s office, and the Prime Minister has said so, but some things are surprising to us and every MP is constitutionally entitled to express his or her opinion.”

On management inefficiency

“Because I heard about management inefficiency… Talking about management inefficiency of a party that is in government, which has 156 MPs, a party that does not know whether it will remain as SYRIZA or will be another party in the future. For Syriza to talk about justice and to talk about prosecutors and judges when it has within its ranks a man who, not long ago, was saying that we should have a second school for judges at the same time, and I am talking about Mr Polakis, or who was attacking journalists, saying that he would ‘bury them three metres under the ground’ because he did not like their questions. And in addition, he has in his parliamentary team a convict.”

On the renewal of prosecutors in the European Public Prosecutor’s Office

“On the renewal of prosecutors in the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. The initial appointment comes from the Member State, the renewal is made jointly. The Minister of Justice said that the renewal is done by the Judicial Council composed of judges who are drawn by lot and therefore no one can control or influence them. Some malicious person could say the opposite, that from the opposition side they are trying to influence the Judicial Council at this time. I’m not a malicious person, I won’t say that. So, let’s not get into those rationales. There are certain rules. This is a country with the rule of law and when we talk about that we will refer to all cases. So far, at least on the part of the New Republic, all the times that cases for waivers of immunity have come, they have been granted.”

About political offices

“We MPs havepolitical offices and and when a citizen comes and tells us something, it does not mean that if it is illegal we will claim it. And this is not only happening in Greece, it is happening in all EU member states and outside the EU. All MPs have offices where they listen to the demands and it is part of their parliamentary duties and it happens also inside the European Parliament where it is accepted as a means of communication.

This is something that anyone who wants to enter the battle of the cross should understand. He will also listen to the citizens, that is our role. To listen to the citizens, to go to the neighborhoods, to come to our political offices and use all the parliamentary scrutiny tools that we have, petitions, topical questions, etc.

I’m not talking to you with non paper,I’ve read the documentation and the vast majority of cases, in my opinion, I think are not of the seriousness that is presented on the opposition side. Of course, the judiciary will decide.

The days of both “there is money” and “give it all away” and “tear up memoranda” and then bring in more memoranda are over. In everything we say “a” PASOK and SYRIZA say “a plus”. This is not opposition, opposition is specific proposals that should be costed.”