Parliament approves probe into EU subsidies scandal amid political tensions

The parliamentary vote, spearheaded by the ruling New Democracy (ND) party, approved the formation of a committee to examine the practices of OPEKEPE—the now-defunct agency responsible for distributing EU farm subsidies since its establishment in 1998. OPEKEPE was dissolved earlier this year, with its responsibilities transferred to the Independent Public Revenue Authority.

While 166 MPs voted in favor—comprising ND, Course of Freedom, and five independent lawmakers—critics argued that the scope of the probe deliberately sidesteps the core of the scandal: alleged illegal disbursements that occurred between 2019 and 2022, during the current government’s tenure.

Opposition parties uniformly rejected the proposal as a “whitewash,” accusing the government of ignoring substantial evidence submitted by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), which reportedly focuses on subsidy misuse in recent years.

Tensions ran high during Tuesday’s debate. Course of Freedom leader Zoe Konstantopoulou fiercely criticized the government’s approach, repeatedly clashing with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. At one point, a visibly frustrated Mitsotakis snapped, telling Konstantopoulou to “stop baying.”

Political confrontation is expected to intensify further on Wednesday, when Parliament will debate two opposition-sponsored motions calling for a separate inquiry into former agriculture ministers Lefteris Avgenakis and Makis Voridis, both members of ND. If approved, the proposed committee would have the authority to recommend formal charges against the ministers.

However, the prospects for such a probe appear slim, as the ruling conservatives are expected to vote against it. Reports suggest that ND lawmakers, led by Mitsotakis, may even walk out during the debate to boycott the vote altogether.

On Tuesday, the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) and the far-right Greek Solution party also boycotted the proceedings. Other opposition parties attended but, except for Course of Freedom, voted against the government’s proposal.

Neither Avgenakis nor Voridis took the floor during the debate.