Panel backs lifting MPs’ immunity in OPEKEPE case
A parliamentary ethics committee has unanimously recommended lifting the immunity of 11 MPs from the ruling New Democracy in connection with the OPEKEPE subsidy case, following a request by the European Public Prosecutor's Office.
The final decision will be taken by the plenary of the Hellenic Parliament in a special session after Easter, with approval requiring a simple majority of those present.
The MPs concerned are: Kostas Tsiaras, Notis Mitarakis, Dimitris Vartzopoulos, Christos Boukoros, Lakis Vassiliadis, Kostas Karamanlis, Theofilos Leontaridis, Maximos Senetakis, Giannis Kefalogiannis, Kostas Skrekas and Katerina Papakosta.
Among the MPs concerned are Kostas Tsiaras and Notis Mitarakis, the only two who attended the committee session.
Tsiaras said he had personally requested the lifting of his immunity, calling it “a matter of personal dignity” and stressing the need for the case to be clarified swiftly. He maintained the issue related to a lawful request by a vulnerable citizen affected by Storm Ianos.
Mitarakis also said he had asked for his immunity to be lifted, insisting that his office acted within constitutional and legal limits by forwarding citizens’ requests to authorities. “It is my duty to clear my name as quickly as possible,” he said.
The case concerns alleged irregularities in farm subsidies handled by OPEKEPE, Greece’s agency responsible for distributing EU agricultural funds.
