“Two weeks have passed since the complaints of emigrants that they received campaign material from the ND MEP, Anna Michelle Asimakopoulou, without their consent. They were the same addresses that the emigrants had given to the Ministry of the Interior for the compilation of the electoral lists of the postal vote. Today we learn that Mrs. Asimakopoulou “decided” – was pushed – not to be a candidate in the European elections, “until the case is fully clarified”.
Anna Michelle Asimakopoulou: How e-mails “cut” her from the European ballot
The mass emails to emigrants “burned” Anna Michel Asimakopoulou and two other “blue” executives. The ND MEP was forced to withdraw and announced that she will not be a candidate in the European elections in June, if the case has not been fully clarified.
“This, because my conscience does not allow me to unwittingly participate in the efforts of some to harm the institution of postal voting, the Mitsotakis government or the prestige of Greece.”
As it turned out, the disputed list of e-mail addresses had been found by the Ministry of the Interior despite assurances to the contrary. Specifically, the leak was made by the Secretary General of the Ministry, Michalis Stavrianoudakis, through the Secretary of Immigration of the ND, Nikos Theodoropoulos, who were caromed. In the target are also two other key persons who have played a key role in the distribution of the mails.
Three surveys regarding e-mails to expatriates
When, a few days ago, the complaints were made, three parallel investigations were launched:
– Prosecutor’s investigation
– Investigation by the Personal Data Protection Authority
– An internal investigation by the Ministry of the Interior which revealed what has happened.
The government says the leak in question is not temporally related to the postal voting platform, as Mr Stavrianoudakis had that authority until June 2023.
“One conclusion is that some emails seem to have gone, when they shouldn’t have gone, following the May 2023 election process from an associate of the then Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mr. Stavrianoudakis, that’s why he took political responsibility and resigned, although he no longer has these duties from June onwards, he has other duties that are not related to voters, or anything related to the elections,” said government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis.
However, the question remains unanswered as to how the personal data of emigrants who had recently entered the platform for postal voting, as they themselves complain, were also leaked.
Niki Kerameos is targeted by the opposition
The opposition directly blames the Minister of the Interior, Niki Kerameos.
“It raises many questions regarding the integrity of the process and especially regarding how the Ministry of the Interior and Ms. Kerameos operate. This situation does not inspire trust and excellence and management ability”, said the president of SYRIZA, Stefanos Kasselakis.
“The minister must be held accountable for the data leak and take responsibility. A responsibility that falls on her personally as the head of the Ministry of the Interior and is not passed on to general secretaries and other executives,” said PASOK.
“The next step should be the assumption of political, at least, responsibility by Mrs Kerameos”, said the KKE.
“The developments fully confirmed us. The leak was indeed made by the Ministry of the Interior,” said “Hellenic Solution”.
“If Mr. Mitsotakis thinks that by ‘burning’ two moderate party officials he closes the case, he is being laughed at,” reported New Left.
Anna Michelle Asimakopoulou in… isyriza
A few hours following her withdrawal from the ND European ballot paper, Ms. Asimakopoulou complained that without knowing it she was found to have registered as a member of isyriza, something Koumoundourou denies.
“Now it’s time for Mr. Kasselakis to answer us regarding how his own party, isyriza, made me a member without my knowledge. He must give convincing answers to the citizens,” said Ms. Asimakopoulou.
“Ms. Asimakopoulou is not a member of isyriza. Someone used her email to sign up but was unsuccessful. But it can thermally search the ip address so that we can also find out who is hiding behind the story. We will be by her side” was the answer.
By mid-April all parties will have announced their European ballots.
#Anna #Michel #Asimakopoulou #government #counterattack
