Concerns continue to grow within PASOK over the potential involvement of additional party officials in the wider OPEKEPE scandal. This unease intensified following the decision of Lambros Antonopoulos, a close associate of Nikos Androulakis and Secretary of PASOK’s Prefectural Committee in Heraklion, Crete, to resign and return grant funds he received in 2020.

Antonopoulos formally relinquished his party membership, citing “reasons of decency” and dismissing attempts to politicize the issue as futile. However, many PASOK members, both within and beyond Crete, who are unaffiliated with any faction, believe unresolved questions remain regarding the actions of other party figures in recent years. These members urged to respond swiftly and transparently to address any names connected to the scandal. They stress that the party’s public statements, including Androulakis’ call for those implicated to have no place in PASOK, must be followed by concrete and timely measures discussed thoroughly within party structures. In Heraklion, rumors concerning the possible involvement of other officials continue to cause unease within the party’s ranks.

Meanwhile, government representatives have called for clear answers. New Democracy’s spokesperson Alexandra Sdoukou recently questioned whether further PASOK officials remain under investigation, recalling that Androulakis had previously expressed confidence that no party members were involved. She highlighted Antonopoulos’ resignation and the return of €15,668 in subsidies as evidence of the need for a comprehensive investigation into agricultural grants, spanning all administrations without exceptions. The ruling party has criticized PASOK for what it views as a fragmented and politically motivated approach, emphasizing that the parliamentary inquiry it proposes will examine all aspects thoroughly.

In response, PASOK has sought to redirect attention to the government’s own record of corruption and scandals. Party spokesman Kostas Tsoukalas condemned recent statements by New Democracy ministers, accusing the government of obstructing justice and shielding implicated officials. PASOK MP Manolis Christodoulakis further distinguished between criminal investigations and political accountability, stressing the importance of thorough clarification regardless of affiliations.

In Crete, Antonopoulos’ resignation has raised further questions, particularly regarding the legality of the aid he received and his application for subsidies on lands not registered in his name. Reports connect him to George Xylouris, a prominent agricultural unionist linked to the scandal, highlighting a complex web of local alliances. Notably, Antonopoulos supported a candidate aligned with Xylouris for the Heraklion Chamber of Commerce, and rumors suggest the scandal may involve other high-ranking party officials in the region.

Antonopoulos’ resignation letter to PASOK Secretary Andreas Spyropoulos states:

‘I hereby submit my resignation as Secretary of the Heraklion PASOK Prefectural Committee and request temporary suspension of my party membership.
It is clear that attempts to associate me with the OPEKEPE scandal aim solely to harm PASOK through political opportunism and will have no effect. Nevertheless, these allegations compel me to step down.
I affirm that I received funds from OPEKEPE only in 2020, through a process I considered fully legal and for which I have faced no accusations. I have returned the money solely out of respect for decency.
Sincerely,
Lambros Antonopoulos’