New Democracy MP Dimitris Markopoulos used notably sharp language regarding the OPEKEPE scandal during a televised interview, calling on Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to assume “moral and political initiatives” in response to the growing controversy.

“We lost control of the situation at OPEKEPE. We owe the public the truth: this is a stain on us,” Markopoulos admitted on ANT1. “This is a matter of integrity—it undermines the European character of our country. And I say that because we are now facing a substantial EU fine. I’m not interested in how many millions were lost under SYRIZA. I’m speaking about my own government. We should examine our own house first. As for potential criminal offenses, we don’t yet know—only the case file will show that. But politically, I have a duty to speak.”

Markopoulos expressed particular concern over evidence of party favoritism revealed in transcripts:
“Some of the reported dialogue is troubling. There’s a pervasive sense of partisanship and clientelism that’s deeply off-putting to the average citizen. This should concern the Prime Minister—especially a pro-European leader like Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who already took steps to address the dysfunction at OPEKEPE. But let’s be clear: the country’s European credibility has been compromised. And because the Prime Minister has acted before, I believe now is the time for further moral and political decisions.”

When asked directly whether those “initiatives” might include a cabinet reshuffle, the ND MP was circumspect:
“That’s not my place. I’m not the Prime Minister, nor do I aspire to be. But as a New Democracy MP, I believe the Prime Minister, with his political capital and his European vision, must take further steps—whatever he deems necessary.”

Pressed on how he would respond if his own name were linked to the case, Markopoulos responded with personal conviction:
“I have a profession to return to. In 2019, I left a successful career with a strong income and sacrificed time with my family to enter public service. I believed in our country’s European future—and I still do. I will not compromise that vision, which is upheld by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, for anyone or any scandal. We fought hard to keep Greece anchored in Europe.”

When asked again to clarify what sort of initiatives he envisioned, he repeated:
“Those are for the Prime Minister to decide. But they must be both moral and political. This wave of blatant partisanship we’ve seen since yesterday is infuriating. First OPEKEPE, now customs. We don’t want a Balkanized, petty Greece. We are fighting for a modern, forward-looking nation, and this kind of behavior undermines Kyriakos Mitsotakis.”