SYRIZA accuses ND, PASOK of law that lets banks off for suspect loans to parties
SYRIZA has accused the government of passing a last-minute amendment that gives bank executives immunity from prosecution with regards to loans given to organizations that include political parties.
Speaking on Skai TV on Sunday, SYRIZA deputy Dimitris Papadimoulis alleged that the amendment was attached to an investment bill voted through Parliament on Thursday.
He said it was an attempt by New Democracy and PASOK to cover up the manner in which they had received loans from the state-run Agricultural Bank in the past.
“This amendment means that there will be no criminal investigation into the politically-appointed bank boards that gave loans of more than 200 million euros to PASOK and New Democracy,” said Papadimoulis.
“At the same time the government is saying it does not have money for pensions, wages, education and health, it find ways to let some of those responsible off.”
Financial prosecutor Grigoris Peponis asked New Democracy and PASOK officials earlier this year to explain how the two parties ran up debts of about 250 million euros and were able to obtain loans using projected state funding as collateral.
