Immunity of 13 ND lawmakers lifted
Parliament on Wednesday approved lifting the parliamentary immunity of 13 lawmakers from the ruling New Democracy party, with 286 votes in favor out of 288 present, according to official results.
The decision follows case files submitted by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding the OPEKEPE farm subsidy affair. Despite earlier speculation about possible abstentions or dissent, the governing majority largely backed the measure.
Two negative votes in most cases came from Katerina Papakosta and independent lawmaker Kostas Floros, while Charalambos Athanasiou voted in favor for others but declared “present” on his own case. Several lawmakers, including Notis Mitarakis, Stylianos Petsas and Miltiadis Chrysomallis, were absent, along with independent members.
During a prior session, all 13 denied wrongdoing, saying their actions fell within parliamentary duties and calling for a swift judicial investigation.
“Unfortunately, in recent years I am judged because I carry a specific surname,” said Kostas Karamanlis.
Tasos Chatzivasileiou spoke of “character assassination.”
Opposition leaders and representatives criticized the government. The roll-call vote followed a special debate, with participants frequently directing criticism toward the prime minister’s office.
