Parliament lifts immunity of New Democracy MP Athanasios Kavvadas
The charges against Kavvadas include fraud against local government property, disloyalty to local government property, instigation of disloyalty, and complicity in fraud. They relate to a citizen’s complaint filed in September 2017, which questioned whether the Municipality of Lefkada received the required 13 percent of annual turnover from a gas station and other businesses subleasing space in the Lefkada marina. The alleged misconduct covers the period from 2011 to 2017.
In a roll-call vote, 256 MPs supported lifting his immunity, four voted against, and one abstained.
Addressing Parliament, Kavvadas maintained his innocence, insisting he held no executive authority in the municipality at the time. “I have never exercised administration in the municipality of Lefkada, neither as mayor nor as deputy mayor responsible for any department. During the period under investigation, I did not participate in any council discussions or votes. I became aware of the case only when summoned to provide explanations,” he said.
Kavvadas noted that the investigation involves both businessmen operating in the marina and members of Lefkada’s municipal councils and financial committees, including himself, and that part of the alleged period overlaps with his service as a municipal councilor and as a member of Parliament.
The lifting of Kavvadas’ immunity clears the way for prosecutors to proceed with the case, marking a significant step in the ongoing scrutiny of local government operations.
