Iliopoulos: PM 'converted EYP into his personal deep state shop'

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has quite deliberately converted the National Intelligence Service (EYP) into "his personal deep state shop" said the spokesperson for main opposition SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance, Nasos Iliopoulos, on Sto Kokkino 105.5 FM radio on Monday

"If there is one image with which Mr. Mitsotakis will be associated in the future, it is the image of fleeing parliament. The image of a person who, when asked if EYP - and not some deep state centre - was monitoring [Labour Minister Kostis Hatzidakis] and the head of the armed forces, chose to leave the chamber," Iliopoulos said.

In spite of the prime minister's efforts to convince people that he had been unaware of what was happening in EYP, he could not be considered innocent in this affair, Iliopoulos asserted, as there was objective political responsibility, and the next government must do everything possible to fully investigate all aspects of the case.

"In any other European country, Mr Mitsotakis would be gone, especially after yesterday's revelations about the monitoring of Hatzidakis," Iliopoulos commented, noting that the upcoming vote on the budget will be a "vote of confidence" in the government.

In other comments, Iliopoulos linked staff shortages in tourism to the "abolition of the eight-hour day" by Hatzidakis' labour reforms, saying this had led thousands to resign, while he also referred to the revelations concerning the MEP Eva Kaili and the upcoming elections in Greece