POLITICS OMADA NEWS #Odysseas Michaelides #Supreme Constitutional Court #Presidential Elections #ΕΡΑΔ
The possibility of him being a candidate for the Presidency of the Republic was confirmed by the former Auditor General, Odysseas Michaelidis, stating that "it is something I think positively". Speaking on RIK's evening show, he clarified that it is too early and "there is no question at the moment of announcing or having made such a decision. But what I can tell you, honestly as I always do, is yes, it is something I think positively. It's something I appreciate."
Noting that the Parliamentary Elections precede the Presidential Elections, he stated that he is not interested in the Parliamentary Elections. "Right now my answer is no. I have no such intention. With an existing party, there is no way for me personally to participate in the elections." When asked if he was considering going down with his own combination, he again answered in the negative, saying "at the moment, no".
Asked if he thinks there is a need for change, Mr. Michaelidis replied that it is clear. "The country is in the mud", he underlined. "We have to change the culture, we have to change the way of thinking and this has to start from the top," he added, speaking of the need for a change in governance. He cited as an example the fact that the President of the Republic takes a pension and says he cannot find a way to renounce it, or the fact that he appointed his son-in-law to a position with a salary of 130,000 and says he is good. "What does it matter if it's good and who's judging it?" he asked.
Regarding his appeal to the ECtHR, Odysseas Michaelidis stated that it was sent on Monday and is expected to be received in Strasbourg. He explained that in the past the process used to take five to six years, but recently it has been sped up somewhat to three years. He cited a precedent, however, that may allow his case to be heard even more quickly. “The former head of the Anti-Corruption Authority of Romania was dismissed in a very similar way to me, by a decision of the Supreme Constitutional Court. That seems very much the case. He went to the ECtHR and had asked to be tried quickly, as an impact case, that is, a case that has an impact, and it was tried in a year and a half. She was vindicated and is now the head of the European Public Prosecutor's Office," she explained. He said that the corresponding acceleration was requested.
Regarding his pensions issue, he confirmed that the matter has been closed. "I expected it should have been done from the beginning," he commented. Asked to say to what extent he acted hastily, blaming the President of the Republic and the Attorney General for wanting to exterminate him financially, he replied "not at all. Events have proven that it was a completely vindictive action that was taken. For no reason they created an issue out of nothing really. I believe they were looking for a reason and found it, not a reason."
Besides, in his post, Mr. Michaelidis explained that the ECtHR does not act as an appeals court and does not retry the case but only the violation of human rights. There is, as he mentioned, a focus on three issues: The right to a fair trial, the right to reputation and freedom of speech and expression.
He also informed that the case is handled by Christos Cleridis (head), Pampos Ioannidis and Joe Triantafyllidis.
The die has been cast. We forwarded to the EDAD my appeal for the decision of the ASA dated 18.9.2024 for my dismissal. The ECtHR does not act as an appeals court and does not retry the case. It only examines human rights violations. There we focus on three themes:-…
— Odysseas Michaelides (@OMichaelides) December 12, 2024 Sign up
