A confrontation has erupted in recent days between the current and former Auditors General, against the backdrop of parliamentary oversight and the establishment of collective procedures within the Audit Office.

Speaking on the program “Alpha News,” MP and leader of the ALMA Movement, Odysseas Michailidis, launched a series of attacks against his successor, Andreas Papakonstantinou, while also announcing the submission of a related bill to the Plenary Session of Parliament.

The previously announced bill aims to legally establish the “Steering Group,” a body that Mr. Michailidis himself had introduced in 2019 as an internal directive, with the aim of ensuring collective decision-making and the approval of reports. Mr. Michailidis underscored the need for safeguards, noting in particular:

“We cannot suddenly, in the year 2026, remember that there is still one unaudited body—that of the Auditor General. But independence is one thing, and being unaudited is another,” he stressed.

Mr. Michailidis, as he noted, requested the minutes of the Management Team regarding the Service’s latest reports, in order to determine whether the body actually meets or whether the reports are approved unilaterally by the Auditor General. Commenting on the resistance and refusal he encountered, the MP stated that “No official can say that he will disregard legislation currently in force simply because he has decided that such legislation is unconstitutional.”

At the same time, the leader of the ALMA Movement lodged complaints regarding delays in the publication of three specific reports, which, according to internal information he received, are linked to decisions in which the President of the Republic had a personal involvement or interest. Although he refrained from directly characterizing the current Auditor General as being under someone’s influence, he made it clear that these cases will come to light:

“These three cases, which personally concern the President of the Republic, will be presented by me at an open session of the Audit Committee on Thursday,” he said.

The matter is expected to be clarified this coming Thursday, as it has already been agreed with the Chairman of the Audit Committee, Zacharias Koulias, that time will be set aside at the end of the session to address this issue, despite the fact that the Vasilikos issue dominates the agenda. Mr. Michailidis concluded by expressing his conviction that the bill will ultimately strengthen the independence of the Audit Office, leaving the final say to the Plenary Session of the House.

“I will not accept it”

For his part, Auditor General Andreas Papakonstantinou, speaking on the “Alpha News” program, emphasized that he will not accept any political interference in the work of the Audit Office.

The Auditor General expressed his dissatisfaction with Mr. Michailidis’s recent actions, effectively calling into question the willingness to cooperate claimed by the Parliamentary Audit Committee. As he stated, the former Auditor General unexpectedly requested the minutes of the Management Team’s most recent meetings, even warning of “surprises” during the upcoming meeting of the Parliamentary Committee.

“I don’t think that’s cooperation,” Mr. Papakonstantinou remarked pointedly, adding that “Does everyone want to handle the Audit Office’s issues in their own way, to meddle in the Office’s affairs? I will not accept that.”

Responding to criticism regarding delays and reports left gathering dust in drawers, Mr. Papakonstantinou was categorical, stating that “We’ve put an end to the drawers.”

He explained that all procedures have now been digitized and there is a complete electronic record of when a report is submitted, what changes are made, and what the Auditor General’s opinions are, adding that no report is delayed in his office for more than 4–5 days.

Regarding the specific pending issues raised by his predecessor, he noted, “I suspect there is one, which I inherited from Mr. Michaelides’s time. He’s right if that’s the one he’s referring to… but the report will be released when the Audit Office is ready.”

At the same time, Mr. Papakonstantinou categorically rejected accusations that he was attempting to cover up for the executive branch or the President of the Republic, emphasizing that strict and deliberate boundaries are maintained.

“We rarely speak with the President—very rarely. He does not interfere, and to his credit, he is very cautious,” he said, citing as an example the public disagreement the Audit Office expressed regarding the First Lady’s Fund.

Commenting on the issue of the Royal House, he clarified that the Audit Office fulfills its role by highlighting problems, but their resolution rests solely with the executive branch, as the Audit Office has no executive powers.

Ahead of the Audit Committee meeting this coming Thursday, the Auditor General stated that, although he is attending in a spirit of complete goodwill, he will not hesitate to walk out if the legislature attempts to subject his Office to institutional oversight.

He made it clear that the Audit Office is not subject to oversight by the Parliamentary Committee and concluded by emphasizing that “If I am wrong, let’s take it to the Supreme Constitutional Court to be tested. I am in favor of oversight, but I am also in favor of the Constitution, and I will defend it as long as I am there.”