Newsroom
In response to public scrutiny and a report by Kathimerini's Apostolos Tomaras about parliamentary expenses, House Speaker Annita Dimitriou has stepped in to defend how taxpayer money is being spent, assuring the public that all procedures are being followed and every recommendation by the Audit Office is being taken seriously.
Speaking on state radio, Dimitriou said she is "careful with every last euro of taxpayers’ money," highlighting actions she’s already taken to curb excess, such as reducing her own security detail. She also addressed specific criticisms from a recent Audit Office report, including high travel costs and upgrades to the Parliament building.
One of the key points of controversy was a July 2023 official visit to London, where Dimitriou and her delegation stayed at a luxury hotel. According to the Audit Office, her three-night stay cost €3,621, while the total cost for the eight-member group was over €15,000.
The House issued a formal statement clarifying that Dimitriou has never been involved in selecting hotels or deciding who joins her on official trips. “These arrangements are made in consultation with the host country or organization,” the statement said, adding that staying at the same hotel was essential due to tight scheduling and meetings held at the venue itself.
Cafeteria upgrade was “about dignity”
Addressing questions around Parliament’s interior renovations, particularly the cafeteria, Dimitriou said the aim was to create a space that reflects the stature of the institution. The House echoed this in its statement, describing the project as a much-needed transformation of a dated canteen into a proper dining and reception area suitable for hosting foreign diplomats and officials.
“This wasn’t about luxury,” the statement read, “but about functionality, hygiene, and dignified hospitality.”
Overspending raises eyebrows
According to the Audit Office, the Parliament’s travel and mission expenses rose sharply in 2023, amounting to €962,476, nearly a third more than the previous year and well over the original €750,000 budget. Additional appropriations of €210,000 had to be granted to cover the overage.
The Auditor General specifically recommended that Parliament avoid luxury hotel bookings in future trips unless absolutely necessary, citing government travel guidelines aimed at keeping costs reasonable.
