“The government, even in conditions of crisis such as the pandemic … has always acted taking into account the protection of citizens, the observance of transparency and the strict observance of all the rules of all the procedures laid down,” he said.
There was a “very strict framework of internal control that has been specifically applied by the [European] Commission for the monitoring and implementation of the Recovery Fund projects,” Marinakis added.
However, a Commission spokesperson told POLITICO that decisions on awarding contracts fell within the remit of the relevant Greek authorities.
“The primary responsibility to ensure compliance with EU and national rules on public procurement lies with the member states,” the spokesperson added.
‘Drawn up in secret’
“POLITICO’s revelation confirms that the Greek plan for the Recovery Fund was drawn up in secret in order to benefit a few and specific interests,” the opposition New Left party said. Its leader, Alexis Charitsis, submitted a parliamentary question to the Finance Ministry.
Dimitris Papadimoulis, a vice president of the European Parliament and a member of The Left group, submitted a question to the Commission asking whether it is “aware of EPPO’s initiatives,” whether it “intends to ask for explanations on how the projects in question were awarded,” and “what measures it will take to ensure the sound management and allocation of European funds.”
