Greek judicial authorities have launched a preliminary investigation into an allegation made by an opposition lawmaker over an attempt to bribe him ahead of the presidential election, it was announced on Friday.
Pavlos Chaikalis, an actor who has been elected as deputy of the small Right-wing Independent Greeks party, told media that he had notified police two weeks ago that an individual offered him up to 3 million euros (3.67 million U.S. dollars) in cash, gold and contracts for advertisements in order to vote for the government's presidential candidate.
The 300-strong Greek parliament is currently in the midst of a procedure to elect a new president.
Chaikalis was among the 135 legislators who did not support the government's candidate, former EU Commissioner for Environment Stavros Dimas, for President in the first round on Dec. 17.
In case Dimas fails to garner 200 votes in the second round on Dec. 23 or 180 votes in the third round on Dec. 29, parliament will be dissolved and early elections will be held within 30 days, according to the Constitution.
Chaikalis said that he has audio and video recordings of the bribery attempt that he has submitted to authorities.
However, police and judicial authorities stressed that the material so far is not enough to proceed to an arrest of a suspect.
Ruling and opposition political parties called for a thorough investigation to shed light on the case and not allow the poisoning of political life amidst doubts over the seriousness of the allegations.
Conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras will file a lawsuit against Chaikalis after the latter said during an interview with a local television channel that the middleman claimed he was acting on behalf of the Premier and a banker, it was announced on Friday evening.
"It is absolute slander and wretchedness at their highest. The Prime Minister is immediately filing a lawsuit and requests the intervention of the prosecuting authorities," according to a press release from his office.
Yorgos Apostolopoulos, the alleged middleman who was said to have contacted Chaikalis, issued a statement on Friday evening rejecting the allegations as a "script for a film" made by comedians.
Apostolopoulos, according to local media, was introducing himself as a senior consultant of banks with contacts with political leaders.
