Examination for polls – Media: The presidency was elected, reactions from SYRIZA, KINAL and KKE

The chairman of the Committee of Inquiry “on the investigation of the political manipulation of public opinion, the degradation of institutions and the squandering of public money” was elected by secret ballot under the Speaker of Parliament Konstantinos Tassaoulas. minority opposition parties.

ND MP Giannis Kefalogiannis was elected chairman of the Committee by a majority, Vassilis Ypsilantis, MP of the majority, was elected vice-chairman and ND MP Giannis Melas was elected secretary.

SYRIZA-PS at the beginning of the meeting asked the presidency of the Commission to be cross-party and in proportion to the strength of the parties as this committee of inquiry has been set up on the initiative of the opposition and this should be reflected in its presidency. A request supported by both KINAL and the KKE.

Mr. Tassoulas reportedly stated that based on the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament, the establishment of the presidency of the Commission can not necessarily be cross-party, but this can occur during the vote and in fact by concession of the majority, if it so wishes. As what is defined in article 144 of the ICC is that “the formation and operation of the examination committees governing by the respective provisions that regulate the formation and operation of the standing committees” ie by secret ballot and the absolute majority (art. 34 par. 3 & 4) . That is, there is no concept of the obligation of proportionality provided for the presidency of Parliament. And a decision of mandatory cross-party composition could lead to issues of invalidity if they arise in the future.

In the end, as it emerged from the result of the vote, ND did not agree to a proportional representation and elected the presidency with all its members being members of the majority.

This disagreement was also recorded during the “open” meeting of the Committee with the majority rapporteur Katerina Papakosta-Palioura emphasizing that ND approaches this whole process with absolute respect to the institutions and the KTB.

The rapporteur of SYRIZA-PS Giannis Ragousis, for his part, stated that “ND is making the worst start it could make in this historic Inquiry which is the first to be set up on the initiative of the opposition” and this should be recorded and with the existence of “a proportional bureau” while its refusal shows “the manipulation that ND wants to do in the work of the Commission”.

KINAL MP Giorgos Kaminis also supported the proportional presidency, arguing that such a formation would not raise the issue of the Commission’s invalidity as argued. The fact, said Mr. Kaminis, that “the common legislator (KTB) has not managed to harmonize with the spirit of the constitutional legislator for the composition of a cross-party presidency, does not create a problem in having adopted the proposal by the majority” just shows that “ND seeks to control the work of the Commission”.

ND and SYRIZA statements

The parliamentary groups of ND and SYRIZA also took positions on the issue with their statements.

“The New Democracy remains faithful to the observance of the laws, the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament and the Constitution. It proposes the search and investigation of the real facts in order to shed full light. the parliamentary minority should be given the opportunity to set up a Commission of Inquiry “commented parliamentary sources of ND and I added:” As for the claim of the official opposition for fear of control and opacity, we remind in the Media and the polling companies in a neutral wording without any implication, as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had suggested from the floor of Parliament ”

The deputies-members of the SYRIZA-PS parliamentary group state in a statement: The ND has rejected the proposal of the vast majority of the opposition parties for a cross-party presidency, in other words, the ruling majority wants to control its opposition of the majority is evident for the control of the embezzlement of public money and the manipulation of the media with opacity by the government of the New Democracy “.

Unanimous decisions

The chairman of the Committee, Giannis Kefalogiannis, at the beginning of the meeting, thanked for his election and the trust in his person. She requested and was unanimously accepted: The meetings to be held three times a week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) in order to complete her work within the foreseen time of the two months that was initially given to her by the Plenary. Have time for in-depth investigation. Distribute the minutes to the parliamentary authors.

All parties also agreed that the work of the Commission should not be remunerated. Independent MP Konstantinos Bogdanos expressed his opposition to this perception and logic that has prevailed for the Examination and Preliminary Committees as he said I do not see why there is such a distinction and all other Parliamentary Committees and Subcommittees are paid for MPs and not her.

Tomorrow, the Commission will continue its work with an exchange of views and decisions on procedural issues, as well as a discussion on the list of witnesses to be called for examination.