MPs seek immunity lift in subsidy case
Greece’s parliamentary ethics committee has recommended lifting the immunity of two ruling party lawmakers over their involvement in a case linked to farm subsidy payments.
The Special Permanent Committee on Parliamentary Ethics unanimously backed the request concerning Charalampos Athanasiou and Tasos Chatzivasileiou, both members of New Democracy.
The case file examines alleged interventions made by the MPs on behalf of farmers seeking payments from OPEKEPE, the agency responsible for distributing EU agricultural subsidies in Greece.
During a closed-door session, both lawmakers requested the lifting of their own immunity. In a written statement, Chatzivasileiou denied any wrongdoing, saying his actions were strictly within his parliamentary duties and aimed at assisting a constituent. He also expressed confidence in the justice system and called for a swift resolution of the case.
Athanasiou, who appeared before the committee in person, similarly argued that contacting authorities on behalf of citizens falls within an MP’s responsibilities and said the case file did not indicate any criminal offense.
The committee’s recommendation will now be submitted to the full parliament for a final vote on Wednesday. Lawmakers are also expected to decide on similar requests involving 11 additional MPs, all of whom have asked for their immunity to be lifted.
