Androulakis: Prime minister ‘being blackmailed by an Israeli ex-soldier’ over wiretapping scandal

Speaking in an interview with SKAI television, Androulakis said the government was trying to downplay the charges against New Democracy MPs with ‘spurious’ arguments and insinuations that there is an orchestrated ‘plan’ against Greece. He claimed the government is seeking to create the impression that ‘the European Public Prosecutor’s Office is playing games with New Democracy’.

‘Is the New Democracy led by Konstantinos Karamanlis saying these things? Aren’t they a little ashamed? They are attacking judges and now the European Public Prosecutor’s Office?’ he said, invoking the party’s founding figure.

Androulakis said the prime minister had referred to ‘some shadows’ in the OPEKEPE case, and recounted what he described as an attack by New Democracy’s Lefteris Avgenakis, who accused him of being ‘obsessed’ with the issue. ‘Who will the Greek people trust? Me or the corrupt New Democracy MPs?’ he responded.

He said the European Public Prosecutor’s Office had ‘demolished the narrative about long-standing problems’ in the agency, a line frequently used by government figures to suggest that fraud at OPEKEPE predates the current administration. Referring to the case file, he added: ‘I read a case file where those who picked up the phone at the cost of Europe’s and the Greek taxpayer’s money are a blue gang.’

Wiretapping and the prime minister

Turning to the Predator wiretapping scandal, Androulakis said: ‘We have a prime minister who is being blackmailed by an Israeli ex-soldier.’ He added that the Council of State had vindicated his position, and that Mitsotakis was refusing to implement the court’s decision.

Androulakis, who was himself among those targeted by the Predator spyware, rejected accusations that the opposition was creating a toxic political climate. ‘It is not about climate or empty accusations, but about reality as it has been shaped by the government’s actions,’ he said. ‘The prime minister is being blackmailed and the government is on trial.’

Governance and electoral strategy

Looking ahead to the next elections, Androulakis argued that PASOK has a comprehensive governance plan and can mount a credible challenge to New Democracy, particularly on the cost of living and the economy.

‘As we head towards the elections, a large part of society that has become disillusioned with politics and is angry will choose a party to defeat New Democracy. I believe that this party, with a lot of work and unity, will be PASOK,’ he said.

He said any party that accepted PASOK’s governing priorities and ‘does not disrupt our work’ could become a coalition partner.

Institutional reform proposals

Androulakis also outlined a series of institutional reform proposals, dismissing the government’s own recent proposals on incompatibility between ministerial and parliamentary office as a ‘firework’ from a prime minister whose ‘back is against the wall’.

He said PASOK had decided at its congress that no MP should serve for more than 20 years, and argued that enshrining such a limit in law would be a meaningful response to corruption. He added that PASOK proposes that the leadership of the judiciary should no longer be appointed by the government, and called for term limits for MPs and MEPs, as well as a preferential voting system ‘so that the people decide and not the government’.

‘They have nothing sacred or holy left. There are many small and large OPEKEPEs, and they must leave as soon as possible,’ he said.

Remarks on Tsipras

Androulakis also commented on former prime minister and SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras, saying he had the right to a ‘second chance’ but criticising his recent public statements. He said Tsipras had claimed he should have closed the banks on the first day after his election in 2015.

‘Two issues arise here,’ Androulakis said. ‘First, this is economically unthinkable and dangerous. And second, had he told the people in order to get their vote that he would close the banks on Monday? So here arises an issue of democratic accountability.’

He concluded by reiterating that his goal was for PASOK to finish first, ‘even if by one vote’, and that any post-election partnerships would be based on the party’s programme and the voters’ choice.

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