The scandal of data protection violations regarding Greek voters living abroad triggered a domino of political developments in the country. MEP of New Democracy Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou has been forced to abstain from the list of candidates for the upcoming European elections, the general secretary of the Interior Ministry Michalis Stavrianoudakis has resigned, and the general secretary for Diaspora Greeks Nikos Theodoropoulos has been ousted following an internal investigation into the E-mails scandal.
The scandal broke out end of February, when Greek voters living abroad complained on social media that they had received e-mails by MEP Asimakopoulou wondering how she got access to their e-mail accounts.
They accused her of violation of the data protection regulations by sending mass campaign emails them and without their consent.
On their part, the MEP and several ND officials alleged that main opposition SYRIZA was behind the issue in order to “undermine voters’ trust into the new regulation for postal voting.”
Alas!
On Friday and according to exclusive information by protothema.gr, MEP Asimakopoulou is alleged to have received the list of Greek voters living abroad by a coworker of the Interior Ministry G.S. through the secretary of Diaspora Greeks.
Citing sources from the PM’s office, SKAI TV reported that the G.S.’s coworker had given the list to head of Diaspora Greeks in May 2023.
New Democracy MEP Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou announced on Friday morning that she would not be contesting in the upcoming European Parliament elections.
“My conscience does not permit me to inadvertently contribute to efforts that undermine the institution of postal voting, the Mitsotakis government, or the reputation of Greece,” she posted on social media.
She added that it was now the responsibility of the competent authorities to ascertain the truth regarding the matter.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday commented that the issue must be investigated “in depth.” He added that New Democracy was conducting its own inquiry into the case, following action taken by the Athens Prosecutor’s Office and the country’s Data Protection Authority (DPA).
PS it is still a secret whether other ND MEPs received such lists and were forced not to to use them due to the scandal.
