Farming subsidy scandal file reaches Greek Parliament amid political turmoil
A sensitive criminal investigation file concerning Greece’s agricultural payments agency, OPEKEPE, was submitted to Parliament late Wednesday, escalating a corruption scandal that could further destabilize the ruling New Democracy party.
The case, led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), focuses on suspected fraud in the distribution of EU agricultural subsidies. OPEKEPE, responsible for allocating EU funds to Greek farmers, is at the center of the probe, which has revealed wiretapped conversations involving farmers, union leaders, and lawmakers discussing suspicious payments and potential political interference.
Two current government ministers, Makis Voridis and Lefteris Avgenakis, are named in the file. While neither is currently accused of financial misconduct, their inclusion has fueled fierce political backlash. The opposition PASOK party warned the government against any attempt to dissolve Parliament as a shield from prosecution.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' administration has distanced itself from the alleged wrongdoing, asserting that the agency's structural issues predate the current government. Agriculture Minister Kostas Tsiaras is reportedly cooperating with Brussels to implement reforms and correct long-standing irregularities.
Government sources insist the dysfunction within OPEKEPE spans multiple administrations. Nonetheless, the scandal poses a political dilemma for Mitsotakis, whose party has already faced public criticism over prior parliamentary inquiries into official conduct.
The investigation, launched by European prosecutors in 2022, includes legally sanctioned wiretaps that have brought fresh scrutiny to the government's handling of EU funds and oversight mechanisms.
