Presidential nominee rejects PASOK last-minute funding accusations
Presidential nominee Konstantinos Tasoulas has denied accusations from the main opposition party, socialist PASOK, made early Wednesday, alleging that, on his final day as Speaker of the House, January 16, he signed four funding decisions totaling €960,000 to benefit his constituency in the wider Ioannina region of northwestern Greece.
Tasoulas clarified that the majority of the funding, for the construction of a Military Historical Museum in Konitsa, had been approved by Parliament back in February, 2024. In its accusations, PASOK estimated this sum at €815,685.
The presidential nominee explained that the decision for the Konitsa museum was based on a study conducted by the National Technical University of Athens, which received parliamentary funding in July, 2022.
He emphasized that his recent signing authorized the allocation of funds but did not involve any disbursement of money for the museum’s construction.
Addressing his last-minute approval of funding for the Holy Metropolis of Ioannina, Tasoulas noted the church had requested parliamentary support for the construction of a new wing for a nursing home, planned for launch in 2025. PASOK put this sum at €125,000.
“Indeed, I signed it on my final day, when I was no longer an MP, so it cannot be seen as providing me with any political advantage,” Mr. Tasoulas remarked.
PASOK also accused Tasoulas of approving €30,000 for the Regional Theater of Ioannina, and €5,000 for the Ipirotiki Estia (House of Epirotes) association.
The party criticized the four alleged actions, claiming they “reflect a deeply old-school partisan mentality and an extraordinarily arrogant attitude.”
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis nominated Tasoulas, a member of the ruling conservative New Democracy party, for Greece’s presidential role, largely ceremonial, one week ago. Tasoulas’ five-year term will officially begin in March.
Kathimerini
