Source:Xinhua Published: 2013-1-9 9:18:25
Greece's nationalist Right tabled on Tuesday the third motion in a row for a parliamentary probe into the Lagarde list with Greek major depositors abroad which could contain tax dodgers, including former Prime Ministers George Papandreou and Lucas Papademos.
The Right-wing Independent Greeks, backed by the far-Right Chryssi Avgi (Golden Dawn) and independent legislators added the names of the two Premiers to the cycle of former officials who could face an inquiry over their role in the poor managing of the list.
In the first proposal tabled last week the conservative-led three-party coalition government focuses on former Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou who had received the data in 2010 by his then French counterpart Christine Lagarde, as the key suspect of the tampering with the list.
Two weeks ago judicial sources revealed that the initial list contained the names of two relatives of Papaconstantinou which have been deleted ever since.
On Monday main opposition Radical Left SYRIZA party tabled another motion, adding in the cadre of officials with possible penal responsibilities Evangelos Venizelos, one of Papaconstantinou's successors at the ministry and current President of the socialist PASOK party which participates in the government.
All proposals are to be brought before the 300-member strong parliament for vote next week. A simple majority of 151 votes is needed so that a special investigative committee will be set up.
The ruling coalition holds a 164- seat majority; therefore the reference to the committee of Papaconstantinou of all former officials is most likely, according to political analysts in Athens.
Tax cheating is regarded as a key cause of the severe debt crisis which brought Greece at the brink of default over the past three years and despite pledges for measures to crack down on the phenomenon and mounting pressure from international lenders, Athens has to present poor results so far.