P. Pikramenos: ADAE does not operate above and beyond the powers or responsibilities of the Judiciary

The Deputy Prime Minister Panagiotis Pikramenos gave harsh answers on the operating framework of the Anti-Corruption Commission and the efforts of SYRIZA to selectively use the Justice Department from the floor of the Parliament, as the debate on the motion of no confidence tabled by Alexis Tsipras on Wednesday is ongoing.

Mr. Pikrammenos reminded that as early as 2009 there is an opinion of the then prosecutor of the Supreme Court – which was actually confirmed by two later opinions up to 2011 – which clarifies that the independent authority does not operate above and beyond the powers or competences of the Court of Justice .

“The framework of its (Justice’s) operation, jurisdiction and powers is defined in advance by the Constitution and is not subject to either the other two powers, or even more so to any of the independent authorities. On the contrary, the independent authorities are subject to the judicial function since the decisions are controlled by it and beforehand by the Council of State,” said the former supreme judge, reading the 2009 opinion.

“The Authority for Ensuring the Confidentiality of Communications established by the 2003 law is neither legitimized nor entitled to control in any way, immediately or indirectly, whether the Justice through the institutions lawfully exercised or not the right to lift the confidentiality of communications, while the establishment such a provision would be outside the constitutional order”, continued Mr. Pikrammenos, wondering why the constitutionalists are reacting now, when then there was not the slightest disagreement.

The Deputy Prime Minister also underlined the importance of respecting the independence of the Judiciary, recalling that it is not possible for the opposition to accept only the decisions that satisfy it.

“We must defend the prestige of the Greek Justice and not instrumentalize it depending on whether it makes decisions we like or don’t like. Because this thing is happening”, emphasized the former president of the Council of State.

“So let’s let the Judiciary do its job in peace, let’s not instrumentalize it depending on whether we like its decisions or not. And let’s not rush to say that we know what we are doing and others are exceeding their responsibilities and duties and so on,” he added.

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