New Democracy MP breaks ranks to abstain from OPEKEPE immunity vote

Speaking to SKAI, Petsas said that a ‘great downhill slide’ is under way, expressing the view that this is creating an unprecedented framework under which all MPs could be prosecuted over any issue.

‘People do not want silent MPs, but people who express their opinion based on the oath they have taken under the Constitution and vote according to their conscience,’ he said.

Referring to the 2019 constitutional revision, he argued that Article 62 provides immunity from prosecution for members of parliament only in relation to their parliamentary duties and political activity. He claimed that actions such as sending messages or emails, as in the cases of Dimitris Vartzopoulos and Notis Mitarakis, clearly fall within political activity and do not constitute illegal acts.

‘After the 2019 revision, Article 62 of the Constitution provides for immunity from prosecution for members of parliament only for their parliamentary duties and political activity. In all other cases, immunity is mandatorily lifted. This parliament has done this. Ninety-seven immunity waivers have taken place during this period. I believe that sending a message asking whether something is being done, as Mr Vartzopoulos has done, or sending an email, as Mr Mitarakis has done, clearly falls within their political activity.’

At the same time, he described the European Public Prosecutor’s Office’s assessment before sending the case file to parliament as ‘inadequate’ and ‘premature’. He insisted that these actions are not related to illegal conduct, but to the expression of interest in citizens’ requests, stressing that MPs’ ability to communicate on such matters should not be restricted.

‘I have not heard any MP from other parties say that the above does not fall within an MP’s remit. We are not talking about illegal acts, but about expressing interest in a request from a fellow citizen. We are not going to prohibit someone from making a phone call or sending a message.’

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