Allegations of agricultural subsidy fraud at OPEKEPE discussed in Parliament
A parliamentary debate was held regarding allegations of fraud in agricultural subsidies provided by OPEKEPE, following a formal inquiry submitted by İskeçe New Left MP and Agriculture Sector Representative Hüseyin Zeybek.
On Monday, February 24, the Greek Parliament discussed MP Zeybek’s inquiry, which was based on a report published by Politico under the title "Allegations of Fraud in Agricultural Subsidies."
Fraud Allegations and Government Inaction
During the session, Zeybek highlighted that Politico, a well-established international publication, had reported on fraudulent activities related to OPEKEPE’s subsidy distribution in Greece. He criticized the government for failing to respond to these serious allegations.
He further pointed out that these reports were not isolated incidents but rather part of a broader issue. He reminded the Parliament that between 2020 and 2022, the European Commission imposed fines totaling €283 million on Greece due to irregularities in OPEKEPE. Additionally, he referenced reports stating that former OPEKEPE presidents were facing prosecution for serious offenses.
Unequal Distribution of Agricultural Subsidies
Zeybek noted that he had previously submitted a similar parliamentary inquiry regarding Politico’s allegations but had yet to receive any response. He raised concerns about the disproportionate distribution of PE01 pastureland subsidies, questioning how one region could receive one-third of the total national allocation while Thrace received only 3.5%.
He demanded that the Deputy Minister of Agriculture provide concrete details on the government’s plans for OPEKEPE and clarify whether Greek authorities were cooperating with European institutions in the ongoing investigation. He also inquired about measures being taken to ensure transparency in subsidy allocation and prevent similar scandals in the future.
Call for Transparency and Accountability
In his second statement, Zeybek criticized the New Democracy government’s six-year tenure, arguing that during this period, farmers’ incomes had declined, production costs had surged, and rural communities had been abandoned, leading to forced migration.
He accused government policies of dragging OPEKEPE into a cycle of scandals and disrepute, urging the Deputy Minister to provide clear commitments for restructuring the organization, improving accountability, and ensuring transparency in its operations.
