MP Hüseyin Zeybek: “Millions of euros lost in OPEKEPE scandal, government remains silent”
Hüseyin Zeybek, Member of Parliament for Xanthi with the New Left party, has brought the alleged misuse of European Union agricultural funds by Greece’s Payment and Control Agency for Guidance and Guarantee Community Aid (OPEKEPE) to the attention of the Hellenic Parliament.
Zeybek stated that despite submitting more than 10 parliamentary questions since April 2024, the government has failed to provide any responses. He claimed that millions of euros have gone missing, and genuine producers have been denied access to EU support.
According to a statement from Zeybek’s political office, the irregularities within OPEKEPE have evolved into a widespread system of favoritism and political patronage, allegedly intensified under the current New Democracy government.
“Millions of euros have either vanished or been distributed to individuals who do not even exist. Real producers are being sidelined. This is not just an administrative oversight—it is the result of a corrupt system for which the government is fully responsible,” Zeybek said.
16,000 Suspicious Tax Numbers
A central element of the scandal involves irregularities linked to approximately 16,000 tax identification numbers (AFM). In a parliamentary question submitted on April 8, 2024, Zeybek raised concerns about the misuse of funds tied to these numbers.
OPEKEPE later confirmed that 11,725 of the 16,548 AFMs were registered on Crete alone. Zeybek said a follow-up question on June 25 also went unanswered.
Pasture Management and Livestock Discrepancies
On September 19, 2024, Zeybek criticized the government for failing to implement “Pasture Management Plans” developed during the SYRIZA administration.
He also noted contradictions in livestock data presented to Parliament on September 24: while national statistics report 16.7 million sheep and goats, Eurostat lists only 10.8 million. Despite a surge in reported animal numbers—especially on Crete—milk production has remained low, which Zeybek finds suspicious.
“The government claimed this was because the milk was ‘not delivered to industry,’ but this explanation is insufficient,” he said.
Dismissals and Intimidation Allegations
Zeybek highlighted the December 2, 2024 dismissal of OPEKEPE’s Audit Director and changes in upper management. Once again, no government response was provided.
He further revealed that on December 23, fraud involving fake invoices and ecological farming subsidies had come to light. He criticized OPEKEPE’s lack of oversight and auditing.
Following a February 17, 2025 article in Politico exposing corruption in EU funding, Zeybek submitted another question, but called the government’s response “inadequate.”
On May 2, 2025, he brought forward claims that OPEKEPE employees working to uncover the scandal were facing pressure and dismissals, particularly those cooperating with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).
€415 Million EU Fine at Stake
Zeybek most recently submitted four additional questions related to the restructuring plan for OPEKEPE, the 2025 EU agricultural support system (OSDE), and the €415 million fine that Greece is expected to pay to the EU. These, too, remain unanswered.
He concluded:
“This is not just about irregularities; it’s about a clear lack of government transparency and accountability. These scandals are not isolated incidents, but the result of a system that has been protected politically for years. And it’s honest farmers who suffer the most.”
Zeybek affirmed that the New Left will not allow the continuation of this corrupt system.
