Greek Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos says ethics probe of New Democracy failed

Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos told ERTNEWS’s “Newsroom” programme and journalist George Siadimas that the effort to ethically purge New Democracy in the OPEKEPE case has failed, asserting that party officials bear no criminal responsibility. He said, “Απέτυχε η επιχείρηση ηθικής απαξίωσης της παράταξής μας,” emphasizing respect for justice and noting that the long‑running overpayment scheme has been halted after control shifted to the AADE.

The minister called for absolute party unity under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and rejected any strategies that could divide the party. He highlighted policy priorities aimed at a more productive economy, stronger industry, and higher competitiveness, noting that 60,000 workers have been added to the industrial sector in the past six years.

He referenced the €23 million tax‑break investment by cable‑manufacturer Fulgor in Soufaki, Corinth, which has created about 2,000 jobs, and described four new development regimes that have attracted hundreds of enterprises and thousands of positions, with a special scheme for peripheral areas accepting applications until 24 July and promising assessments within 90 days. Ongoing efforts have also recovered €130 million for real investment projects.