Opposition leaders demand full accountability in OPEKEPE scandal: “Mitsotakis must resign”
The political fallout from the OPEKEPE scandal continues to intensify, as opposition leaders Nikos Androulakis of PASOK-KINAL and Sokratis Famellos of SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance level serious accusations against Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his government, demanding accountability and transparency over what they describe as one of the most damaging institutional scandals in recent Greek history.
Addressing Parliament on Thursday, Androulakis declared that the scandal at the Greek payments authority for EU agricultural aid bears “the signature of New Democracy and Kyriakos Mitsotakis in person.” He characterized it as a “moral, political, financial, and institutional scandal” that has deeply eroded public trust and compromised the integrity of state mechanisms.
"The prime minister says, ‘Unfortunately we failed.’ No, Mr. Mitsotakis — you didn’t fail. You were caught," Androulakis said, accusing the government of hiding behind spin tactics instead of accepting responsibility. He warned that the mismanagement could have direct consequences for farmers across Greece, including cuts to subsidies and a potential decline in agricultural production. “The next memorandum you burden the Greek people with will be the memorandum for the farming sector,” he added.
FAMELLOS: THE TIME HAS COME FOR ELECTION
SYRIZA-PA leader Sokratis Famellos echoed these concerns, calling for the immediate establishment of a Parliamentary Preliminary Investigation Committee to examine potential criminal liabilities of government members. “The European Prosecutor’s file explicitly requests a full investigation of all responsibilities. If Parliament does not act, no other body can,” he said in a radio interview with Real FM.
Famellos accused the ruling party of building a clientelist system that redirected agricultural funds to secure political loyalty. “They were stealing the farmers' money to buy votes,” he said, claiming that the prime minister has “essentially admitted this.” He stressed that Greek society demands truth and justice — not only through polls, but through growing public outrage.
Both leaders dismissed government efforts to label the corruption as part of broader, systemic issues within the EU. “No other EU country has come close to facing a fine of nearly half a billion euros,” said Androulakis, challenging the idea that this is merely a bureaucratic lapse.
SYRIZA’s Famellos called for the government’s resignation, stating: “The time has come for elections. Greece needs a different government, and SYRIZA is ready to help shape the conditions for a progressive alternative.”
As opposition pressure mounts, the spotlight remains on the government’s next steps — and whether it will meet the demands for full transparency or continue to resist calls for political accountability.
