Parliament live – Tsipras to Mitsotakis: Tell us why you were watching Mr. Androulakis

August 26, 2022

Robert

Addressing the Prime Minister, Mr. Tsipras said: “Mr. Mitsotakis, you are accused of anti-institutional diversion, of undermining the democratic state. Who lost morality for you to find it and you talk about immorality, while you are accountable and accused”.

Heavy accusations against the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, were launched by the President of SYRIZA, Alexis Tsipras, from the floor of the Parliament in the debate on the wiretapping, while he repeatedly called on the Prime Minister to explain what was the national security reason that led to the monitoring of Nikos’s mobile phone Androulakis.

He noted that “wiretapping is not just a political error, it is a criminal act, especially when it concerns the violation of the privacy of an elected representative, MP or MEP. Even more so when it comes to the leader of a political party.”

“You do not understand any invocation of legitimacy or legitimacy” said the president of SYRIZA.

And he added, addressing the prime minister: “I understand your need to have a toxic presence, in order to rally your audience, but everyone listens to you. They expect explanations, not expositions of ideas, nor funny attempts at distraction. Is it possible to claim that any prime minister can monitor political opponents for reasons of national security and without explaining why?

And who is to judge that there are national security reasons? You are legally, politically and morally obliged to leave half-talk and answer the crucial question of why you were following Nikos Androulakis. This is the answer you must give. What is the national security reason you are citing?’

Alexis Tsipras continued raising the tone: “Is Nikos Androulakis a spy? Is he an agent? I give you the floor now. Take the microphone. Silence is the strongest response to your guilt. You can’t hide behind the finger of your nephew and Mr. Condoleontos.”

He added that the responsibility rests exclusively with the Prime Minister, as he is the direct superior of Mr. Kontoleontos. “Responsibility is inalienable, there is no such thing as ‘my nephew’s fault,'” he said.

He accused the government of involving third countries, endangering both the country’s relations and foreign policy. “One you talked about China, the other about Armenia and Ukraine. The two of them denied you vehemently. So tell us what this national security reason is and stop dragging the country internationally. You are spoiling yourself with what you say and you are also spoiling the country abroad”.

As you say, you did not know when Mr. Androulakis filed a lawsuit, nor were you informed then by those whom you dismissed later.

When Mr. Gerapetritis, Mr. Pierrakakis came to the Parliament with Mr. Kontoleontos in the Institutions and Transparency committee, they lied to the questions of the MPs.