Today’s confrontation in Parliament between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Nikos Androulakis, with the prime minister responding to a question from the PASOK leader on energy issues, is expected to extend to the wiretapping issue as well.

The reemergence of the wiretapping case following the judicial ruling imposing heavy sentences on four private individuals representing companies for the illegal Predator software has again put the government on the defensive. It is considered inevitable that today’s parliamentary exchange between Mitsotakis and Androulakis, with the prime minister answering a question from the opposition leader in Parliament, will also touch on this controversial matter.

Since yesterday noon, the Maximos Mansion has been managing the situation, deploying government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, who was called to comment on the issue on the ERTNEWS main news bulletin, also responding to the statements of Nikos Androulakis, who earlier had held a press conference announcing initiatives for a new Parliamentary Inquiry Committee into the case, as well as a scheduled parliamentary debate on the issue.

The official line from Maximos Mansion is and will remain to point to the judiciary, emphasizing that all handling of the case falls to the judges and prosecutors managing the wiretapping file, as no political figures were included in the prosecutions.

“From what it seems, the judiciary is functioning once again. It makes its decisions, and beyond that, at an institutional level, the government has taken all necessary actions to tighten the legal framework for wiretaps and has implemented all measures to ensure a much more functional, effective, and fortified legal framework,” Marinakis said yesterday, criticizing the opposition for selectively questioning the judiciary and its decisions. In a similar vein, Mitsotakis is expected to respond if the issue is raised by Androulakis in today’s debate.

“Parliament is not an endless court”

Given that the wiretapping case does not provide a politically favorable environment for the government, it is clear that New Democracy (ND) will not roll out the red carpet for the request of PASOK for another Parliamentary Inquiry Committee, since no political figures are under investigation in the case. According to protothema.gr, Maximos Mansion will wait for a formal proposal from PASOK or the wider opposition, and then respond, although the general predisposition appears negative.

“For yet another time, the opposition is trying to turn Parliament and public discussion into an endless court, an ongoing process of investigative and pre-investigative committees. Not to find the truth, but to substitute for the lack of political positions and costed proposals,” Marinakis emphasized. PASOK has stated that the proposal for a Parliamentary Inquiry will be submitted based on the new evidence once the court decision is officially finalized.

Androulakis’ moves

Mr. Androulakis, however, does not intend to drop the issue, even if he did not gain political benefit from it the last time. Nevertheless, it is acknowledged that the government’s image has been “scratched.” Against this backdrop, Androulakis is signaling further steps and legal actions, this time at the level of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

“It is being shown who was right and who was wrong in handling this case. I will continue the fight until the end. First, the Tsiaras law was annulled by the Council of State, now there’s another victory, and next is the ECHR. The fight continues and does not end. Despite the government’s efforts, everyone will be held accountable, including Mr. Mitsotakis and Mr. Dimitriadis,” he said yesterday at an extraordinary press conference at the PASOK offices.

It should be noted that former Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras also attacked Mr. Dimitriadis, prompting a legal warning from the former Secretary General of the Prime Minister, who faced no criminal charges in the case. “Generally, it is very improper to wag a finger, but the last one can give instructions on matters of the rule of law — he is the prime minister of 13-0 and the para-ministries of Justice,” Marinakis commented regarding Tsipras.