New Democracy appears to be shifting its stance on how it handles the OPEKEPE case concerning former ministers, following PASOK’s request—submitted on Friday—for the establishment of a preliminary parliamentary investigation to examine possible responsibilities of former ministers Spilios Livanos and Foteini Arabatzi in the context of the OPEKEPE 2 case file.

According to cross-checked information, New Democracy is leaning toward rejecting PASOK’s proposal and will not submit its own counter-proposal—either for a preliminary investigation or a parliamentary inquiry—as it did a year ago in the cases of Makis Voridis and Lefteris Avgenakis. If this holds, the formation of a preliminary investigation committee is considered unlikely, as 151 votes are required, which the opposition does not have.

The same sources indicate that this decision—reportedly discussed in meetings at the Maximos Mansion on May 1—is based on two main reasons. First, an assessment of the case file suggests that the evidence concerning Livanos and Arabatzi is extremely weak. In fact, Spilios Livanos is not even directly implicated through recorded conversations; rather, references involve his associates.

Second, there is a view within the government that a “red line” must be drawn regarding the blanket acceptance of requests originating from the European Public Prosecutor’s Office—a stance that has been debated within government circles for some time. The decision is also made in anticipation of additional case files expected in the near future under a similar framework.

It is considered certain that New Democracy’s position will trigger reactions, just as earlier reactions were provoked by the previous approach of broadly accepting all requests from the European Public Prosecutor. Several government officials and ND MPs argue that the handling of the case so far—combined with the “piecemeal” release of case files and ongoing leaks—creates a presumption of guilt rather than innocence for those involved.

It is worth noting that former deputy minister Foteini Arabatzi had herself requested the formation of a preliminary investigation regarding her case, while Spilios Livanos had not explicitly done so. In a statement on Friday afternoon, Livanos—who remains in close contact with the Maximos Mansion—criticized PASOK, arguing that political expediency is prevailing over the truth, and emphasizing that he was the one who brought the OPEKEPE scandal to light in 2021.

Tensions escalate over Independent Authorities

Relations between New Democracy and PASOK have deteriorated significantly, with the government now seeking to clearly highlight dividing lines with PASOK’s headquarters on Charilaou Trikoupi Street. This was evident on Saturday, when government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis revealed behind-the-scenes discussions between PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis and Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis regarding the filling of two vacant positions in independent authorities.

Ultimately, PASOK supported only the nomination of Katerina Syngouna for the Data Protection Authority, but not that of Antonis Makrydimitris for the Ombudsman. Government sources pointed out that discussions with PASOK at the highest level had been ongoing for around three months, with the Maximos Mansion aiming to demonstrate which side is acting with a spirit of cooperation and institutional responsibility.

At the instruction of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Kostis Hatzidakis handled the negotiations on behalf of the government, maintaining frequent communication with Nikos Androulakis, who had initially taken the initiative to request CVs from candidates for the long-vacant positions.

However, according to government sources, PASOK reportedly withdrew from the agreement at the last moment, with Androulakis citing the closure of the wiretapping investigation by Supreme Court prosecutor Konstantinos Tzavellas—an outcome he attributed to the government.

Officials at the Maximos Mansion also believe that PASOK was simultaneously engaging in discussions with other opposition parties. This is inferred from comments by Zoe Konstantopoulou, leader of Course of Freedom, who accused PASOK representative Panagiotis Doudonis of saying different things in private conversations, after he announced PASOK’s intention to support only one of the proposed appointments.