New Democracy may have wanted to exorcise the nightmare of Tempi, which proved to be the turning point for unraveling the governmental fabric, but it stubbornly returns.
And had the tragic mistakes of Karystianou not intervened, pressure on the government today would have been even greater.
The weak link
Nevertheless, the weak link for ND following judicial developments is Minister of Justice Giorgos Floridis, and if a referral also takes place, it will lead to a nightmarish domino effect for the government.
As for the political impact, it will once again be substantial.
The referral of Christos Triantopoulos to the Special Court deafeningly brings back to the fore what the government was arguing about the famous «backfilling».
And along with this, the statement by Giorgos Floridis that those who spoke of «backfillings» were «for the trash» returns like a political boomerang.
Resignations demanded
The opposition is not letting the opportunity pass unexploited.
Alexis Tsipras directly demanded the resignation of Giorgos Floridis, saying that, following the judicial development, the Minister of Justice should have the political decency to step down.
Otherwise, as he argued, the matter rests with the Prime Minister, who must dismiss him.
Floridis, moreover, in his response, attacking Tsipras and equating the tragedies of Tempi and Mati, demonstrates both the desperation and the isolation in which he finds himself.
In PASOK, SYRIZA, and Hellenic Police, the statement by Floridis returns almost verbatim as a political argument: who ultimately was «for the trash»?
Those who raised questions, or those who today find themselves facing Justice?
This question is expected to accompany the government for a long period of time.
«Blue» deputies up in arms
What is most interesting, however, is that the case is beginning to generate internal political weight within New Democracy.
Because «blue» deputies know that this specific phrase by the Minister of Justice exposed them politically and leaves them once again on the defensive.
Especially those who are called upon in their constituencies to answer to voters regarding Tempi understand that «whoever speaks of backfilling is for the trash» is no longer a mere quip of parliamentary debate.
It has become part of the political discourse surrounding a case that now stands before the Special Court.
And here lies the true dread for the Maximos Mansion: the phrase by Floridis returns at the very moment the government believed the tragedy of Tempi had finally entered the tracks of justice, since politically it could not inflict further damage given that several of the theories that had been voiced no longer hold weight.
Keeping a low profile
It is no coincidence that the government is attempting to keep a low profile.
Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis argued that the referral cannot be presented as political vindication for the opposition and defended the governmental handling at the time.
Yet the political damage is already visible.
Because the discussion is no longer restricted to what Triantopoulos did or did not do.
It extends to who knew, who gave orders, who bore responsibility, and why the government appeared so absolute when denouncing references to backfilling as «theories».
Boomerang effect
And as long as answers are sought through witnesses, evidence, and judicial proceedings, old political certainties will return as a boomerang.
Floridis, in any case, is now at the center.
The opposition is demanding his resignation, and the Maximos Mansion is called upon to decide whether to back him to the end, especially at a time when it is also fielding him as a candidate, or whether it will attempt to close the front before it takes on larger dimensions.
Because in Tempi a political paradox now exists: those who once spoke with absolute certainty about «backfilling» are called upon today to explain why the case reached the Special Court.
And this, for ND, is a black hole that can hardly be sealed with communication soundbites.
The question is whether someone will «break» in the face of the prospect of conviction, disclosing matters that trigger chain reactions and damage the government even further.
Only for a misdemeanor
The fact that the referral is only at the level of a misdemeanor for breach of duty naturally functions in part as a «shield», since it is difficult for someone to be led to prison and sentences in such cases are suspended.
Yet the damage on a political level due to the... soundbite of Floridis will continue to inflict harm and corner Mitsotakis, over a Minister of his who, like others, has lost a sense of proportion, violating all institutional decorum of his role.
Key will also be who will be called as witnesses to shed light on whether the site was ultimately altered for specific reasons and purposes, as well as who was the one giving the orders.
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