SYRIZA: Corruption has permeated Greek state under Mitsotakis government

Greece's main opposition party, SYRIZA, has accused the government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of pervasive corruption that has infiltrated every level of the state apparatus. The party's strong condemnation follows the resignation of the General Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Giorgos Didaskalou, amidst a scandal involving a network within urban planning authorities. This departure mirrors that of Efthimios Bakoyannis, the General Secretary for Spatial Planning at the Ministry of Environment. SYRIZA cited media reports, even from pro-government outlets, suggesting a third resignation is imminent. SYRIZA highlighted Didaskalou's role in key cultural heritage bodies, including the Central Archaeological Council and the Central Council of Modern Monuments, which make critical decisions on cultural policy. The party noted that officials involved in the urban planning corruption ring had also served on ministry councils previously headed by Didaskalou. The opposition party questioned whether the Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, who has held her post for seven years under Mitsotakis, was unaware of these alleged wrongdoings. SYRIZA's statement urged a thorough investigation into the "sinful affairs" handled by the resigned officials. It referenced controversial projects and proposals, such as cable cars at archaeological sites and concrete reconstructions without adequate studies, citing examples at the Acropolis and Ancient Agora. SYRIZA asserted that the current government's tenure has seen decisions benefiting private interests at the expense of antiquities and cultural heritage. Examples cited include the use of monuments for private events and the sale of facilities at heritage sites to associates. The party labeled these actions as part of the "Mitsotakis-Mendoni system," suggesting that individuals now resigning or being removed had willingly served these policies. SYRIZA also pointed to the presence of individuals linked to a previous extortion ring near Minister Mendoni, questioning why she hadn't re-examined those cases. The party concluded that the resignations demonstrate corruption has become "endemic" under the Mitsotakis government, urging either Mendoni's resignation or the Prime Minister's action to dismiss her.

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The resignations of the general secretaries prove that corruption in the seven years of Mitsotakis's government has permeated every resource of the state mechanism, from employees to general secretaries.