Greek parliament speaker steps down

The speaker of the Greek parliament Evangelos Meimarakis stepped down on the 24 September 2012, saying he would stay off the job while a prosecutor investigated claims that he and two former cabinet ministers were involved in an alleged €10bn money-laundering operation.

The report, which followed confirmation by the Greece Finance Ministry the previous week that 32 senior Greek politicians were under investigation by SDOE, the financial police, for alleged corruption, sent shockwaves through the political establishment.

Kathimerini, 23.9.12: Supreme Court to take over probe into 'corrupt' politicians http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_23/09/2012_462729

Kathimerini, 22.9.12: SDOE probing seven politicians http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_22/09/2012_462647

ESO: Background information: Athens set to purge civil service http://www.europeansources.info/record/athens-set-to-purge-civil-service/

ESO: Background information: Greece cracks down on graft http://www.europeansources.info/record/greece-cracks-down-on-graft/

To Vima, 25.9.12: Money laundering scandal weakens government (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/2755201-money-laundering-scandal-weakens-government

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