Greece: Fires in government over Avramopoulos – Maximos Mansion stance unclear
A European arrest warrant issued by Belgian authorities accuses New Democracy MP Dimitris Avramopoulos of involvement in the Qatargate scandal, including money laundering and corruption.
Fires in the forests, fires in the government too from the European arrest warrant against New Democracy MP for Elis, Dimitris Avramopoulos. The political scene was shaken by the issuance of an arrest warrant by the Belgian authorities against him. The former European Commissioner and current MP is accused in the context of the Qatargate case of participating in a criminal organization, money laundering and corruption.
Belgian judicial authorities are focusing on fees of approximately 75,000 euros that Avramopoulos allegedly received from the NGO Fight Impunity, which is linked to Antonio Panzeri, a key figure in the scandal.
The serious charges
The news hit Parliament like a bombshell. The warrant concerns three serious offenses and comes within the framework of the broader investigation into foreign influences in the European Parliament. Avramopoulos himself responded immediately, characterizing the charges as completely unfounded and the result of misinterpretation of his activities in Europe.
He declared himself ready to face justice, waiving his parliamentary immunity and requesting the immediate convening of the relevant parliamentary committee to fully investigate the case and bring the truth to light.
The Maximos Mansion stance
At the Maximos Mansion – seat of the Hellenic Government – there is concern, but government sources are sending a clear message of distancing. According to information, as soon as the warrant reaches Parliament via the Prosecutor’s Office and the Ministry of Justice, procedures will proceed without any delay. The government majority is expected to vote in favor of lifting immunity, so that the case can be judged exclusively by the Justice system.
As Newsbomb reports in its publication, there will be no attempt at political cover-up.
The opposition’s reaction
The development triggered intense confrontation. SYRIZA launched a harsh attack, linking the case to the recent conviction of Anna Michel Asimakopoulou in the email case.
The main opposition spoke of a court docket with a blue logo and called on New Democracy MPs not to attempt any cover-up.
The next steps
The procedure is clear, as parliamentary status prevents the automatic execution of the warrant. The file will be forwarded from the Athens Court of Appeals Prosecutor’s Office to the Ministry of Justice and then to the Speaker of Parliament.
This will be followed by examination by the Ethics Committee and a final decision by roll-call vote in the Plenary. The political temperature is rising rapidly, with the government seeking to close this chapter as quickly as possible—a chapter that awakens memories of the European corruption scandal.
