Week of political turmoil and reshuffle – When the OPEKEPE case file will reach Parliament

The government is heading towards a week of political “Passion” and reshuffle, as the new OPEKEPE case file is expected to be announced in Parliament on Holy Monday.

Specifically, as Parliament Speaker Nikitas Kaklamanis stated in a discussion with parliamentary reporters after the Conference of Presidents, if the case file concerning former ministers (Spilios Livanos and Fotini Arabatzi) arrives in Parliament by Sunday evening, it will be announced on Holy Monday.

The case file concerning MPs will be immediately handed to Deputy Speaker Giorgos Georgantas.

He also clarified that he has not received a response from PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis regarding the pre-agenda debate in Parliament on the rule of law and wiretapping, which the government scheduled for April 16 or 17. It is noted that this discussion is now considered to have been delayed precisely because the second OPEKEPE case file was expected.

If the case file is delivered to the parties on Friday, a weekend of critical behind-the-scenes processes is expected, as the government will study it and assess each case individually, depending on what exactly is mentioned for each MP. It is worth noting that the first case file did not include criminal evaluation for MPs, whereas this one does.

The main political issue for the government is the handling of cases involving current ministers who, according to the case file, allegedly intervened in OPEKEPE as MPs. A reshuffle appears inevitable and, if the second OPEKEPE case file is officially announced in Parliament on Holy Monday, the countdown will begin, with developments expected by Holy Wednesday.

The scope of the reshuffle remains open. That is, whether Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will seize the opportunity for broader changes in the government, which he is said to have already been considering, or whether he will initially opt to replace only those government members whose names are mentioned in the case file.

Of course, even in the latter scenario, “domino effects” are not ruled out, potentially leading to wider changes in the government. It is recalled that the economic team and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense are expected to remain unchanged due to the war in Iran and its consequences at all levels.

Vartzopoulos: “I don’t remember what I asked for, because I spoke very often”

Among the government members whose names are reportedly included in the second OPEKEPE case file, Deputy Health Minister Dimitris Vartzopoulos stated that his conscience is clear. He admitted (SKAI) that he had communicated many times with OPEKEPE, but stressed that he never requested anything illegal. He also expressed the view that MPs whose names are mentioned in the case file should request the lifting of their immunity, as he is confident in everyone’s innocence.

Mr Vartzopoulos specifically said that he was unaware his name was included in the second case file and that when he found out yesterday, he was shocked. He admitted that he had communicated frequently with OPEKEPE in his capacity as an MP.

“I don’t remember what I asked for, because I spoke very often,” he said, estimating that the same applies to all MPs elected in rural areas, adding: “There is no farmer who hasn’t had a problem at least once. I also called OPEKEPE and asked for clarifications. Certainly not anything illegal.” He cited the region of Serres as an example, repeating: “There is no farmer who at some point in their life hasn’t had a problem with OPEKEPE. The system is so complex.”

Mr Vartzopoulos then stated: “I speak for myself, but because I know my colleagues, I say that I—and I believe all of us—have an absolutely clear conscience.”

Asked whether the European Public Prosecutor’s case file describes felonies, the Deputy Health Minister replied: “I don’t know that. My conscience is clear. I have always acted strictly within the framework of the law, complying with every provision, while also trying to resolve the legitimate problems of citizens. That is the job of an MP.”

He also said: “Some cases may have been paid without being entitled, but I did not request any circumvention of the law. I only asked for certain administrative omissions to be corrected, for example when a document was not properly entered in OSDΕ.” He noted that in his constituency (Thessaloniki B) and in Serres there was a serious issue with ATAK, resulting in farmers’ declarations being rejected. He added that MPs therefore requested the issue be addressed and that, indeed, following changes made by the Minister of Rural Development Kostas Tsiaras (whose name is also reportedly included in the second case file), the problem was resolved and farmers facing difficulties are now being served.

“I have not communicated with the Maximos Mansion”

“I have not communicated with the Maximos Mansion,” Mr Vartzopoulos clarified. He reiterated: “No one ever approached me to ask us to do anything illegal.” However, he left open the possibility that he may not have been aware.

Finally, regarding the issue of lifting immunity, the Deputy Health Minister stated: “I think it is self-evident and that all colleagues will request the lifting of their immunity. My view is that everyone should request it, so that we go to court, where I am confident for myself and for all that in the end there will be no criminal prosecution.”