"Illegally obtained farm subsidies must be returned"
Greece’s Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and pledged that those who received agricultural subsidies illegally will be held accountable.
In an interview with mononews.gr, Hatzidakis stressed that “fiscal seriousness is the best shield for our homeland at times of uncertainty,” particularly amid the economic impact of the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. Despite the regional instability, he said Greece’s public finances remain stable and the national budget is being executed as planned.
Commenting on the defunct OPEKEPE agency—the body previously responsible for handling EU agricultural funds—Hatzidakis noted that while he would wait for the full investigation file before commenting in detail, the government has already taken steps to tighten oversight. OPEKEPE has been absorbed by the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), following reports of widespread mismanagement.
“This is not just a Greek phenomenon,” he said, pointing to similar investigations underway by the European Prosecutor in 24 EU member states.
The misuse of agricultural subsidies, he added, is a longstanding issue affecting all past Greek administrations. “Recovery decisions for €3 billion worth of subsidies have been issued since the late 1990s,” Hatzidakis stated. He emphasized that the current New Democracy government will not tolerate fraud: “Everyone who received subsidies without being eligible will be made to return the money to the public coffers.”
Several court cases related to subsidy fraud are ongoing.
