Now comes the hard part for Papakonstantinou

Not many politicians since after the dictatorship and up until now could have felt as lonely as former finmin Yorgos Papakonstantinou is feeling at this time. His impressive referral to a preliminary parliamentary committee for the Lagarde list case closes a circle of intense political wrangling, yet opens another one, full of difficulties and anxiety for the former minister but rather calmer for the coalition government.

The opposite courses are not evident only in the political field, as Papakonstantinou should get ready to face the risk of the special tribunal and the government to tackle the major issues of its political agenda, but also on a symbolic and more human level. The former minister arrived and departed from the parliament alone yesterday, without any communication with his old comrades, while top government officials and PASOK did not hide their relief about yesterday's developments.

Everybody is now turning their attention to two areas. First, the material that still surfaces from the court authorities and which reportedly places more charges on Papakonstantinou and second, in the formation of the preliminary committee. This committee will be set up immediately, consist of 15 members and deliver its findings by February 25 unless it is given an extension.

The first thing it will look into is the supplementary file by the financial prosecutors that arrived Friday night in parliament and includes the testimonies of Papakonstantinou’s relatives and close associates.

It is certain, however, that none of the three government parties, and PASOK in particular, has a desire to treat the former minister with more leniency than what he has already been dealt as they did not vote for the SYRIZA proposal, which provided for an investigation into four offenses, not the two which were ultimately included in indictment.

Regarding the secret vote, the main conclusion is that there were no leaks from New Democracy MPs in favor of Evangelos Venizelos’ referral. Specifically, 124 MPs voted in favor, about as many as the MPs of the opposition arc, plus some independents who indicated they would vote in favor.

Conclusions also derive from the result of the ballot box on Papandreou and Papademos. 37 MPs asked for their referral. According to the final result, there were 43 leaks for Papandreou and 26 for Papademos.

In detail the result was as follows:

294 MPs voted for Papakonstantinou: 286 valid, 3 blank and 5 void

to be referred based on the ND, PASOK and DIMAR proposal: 265 MPs voted in favor, 6 against, 3 present

to be referred based on the SYRIZA proposal: 129 MPs in favor, 26 against, 4 present

to be referred based on the Independent Greeks and Golden Dawn proposal: 110 MPs in favor, 28 against, 3 present

225 MPs voted for Venizelos: 154 valid, 15 invalid, and 56 blank

the SYRIZA proposal received: 124 in favor, 24 against, 2 present

the Independent Greeks and Golden Dawn proposal received: 104 in favor, 23 against, 1 present

224 MPs voted for Yorgos Papandreou: 107 valid, 14 invalid, 103 blank

the Independent Greeks and Golden Dawn proposal received: 80 in favor, 19 against, 8 present

221 MPs voted for Lucas Papademos