Zeybek accuses Mitsotakis government of creating ‘virtual reality’ for farmers
Independent MP for İskeçe Hüseyin Zeybek has criticized Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis over the government’s handling of agricultural subsidies and the 2026 OSDΕ application process, arguing that official claims about the agricultural sector do not reflect farmers’ daily experiences.
In a statement issued following Mitsotakis’ recent visit to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), Zeybek accused the prime minister of presenting what he described as a “virtual reality” regarding Greece’s primary sector and the OSDΕ agricultural subsidy application system.
According to Zeybek, while Greece and AADE are only now activating the OSDΕ process for 2026, applications have already been completed in other European countries, with some countries already moving ahead with advance subsidy payments.
Zeybek highlights delayed subsidies and compensation
Zeybek also criticized the government over what he described as tens of millions of euros in outstanding agricultural subsidies and compensation payments that had reportedly been announced for July but remain unpaid.
He further claimed that the OSDΕ system remains closed for corrections relating to 2025 applications, adding to uncertainty among farmers and livestock producers.
Another issue raised by the İskeçe MP concerns the so-called Farmer Card. Zeybek said the government is presenting the availability of the QR code required to activate the card on August 28 as an achievement, while arguing that in previous years farmers had access to the card as early as spring.
According to Zeybek, earlier availability allowed producers to secure financing in time for the beginning of the cultivation season.
Dispute over October advance payments
Zeybek also challenged the government's presentation of advance payments for direct agricultural subsidies as a success.
He pointed to plans for advance payments to be made by October 31 for farmers who manage to submit their declarations by September 15, arguing that such payments had taken place earlier in previous years.
The MP further claimed that the European Union has allowed member states to provide advance payments of up to 75% before October 16, with the aim of ensuring that farmers have sufficient liquidity ahead of the new agricultural season.
Zeybek argued that Greece should make greater use of this flexibility rather than present delayed payments as an achievement.
‘Farmers do not live in a virtual reality’
“Farmers do not live in the virtual reality of the Maximos Mansion,” Zeybek said, arguing that producers are instead dealing with repeated delays in subsidies and compensation, rising production costs and what he characterized as continued government promises without sufficient solutions.
He concluded by accusing Mitsotakis of attempting to portray the situation in a more positive light than the reality faced by rural communities.
Zeybek also made a pointed reference to Mitsotakis’ own status as a recipient of agricultural subsidies, expressing hope that the prime minister had submitted his own application on time in order to qualify for the October advance payment.
