Greek PM presses prosecutors in EU subsidies scandal

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called on the European Public Prosecutor’s Office to decide swiftly on the next steps in an investigation into alleged fraud involving EU agricultural subsidies.

The case has affected his New Democracy party and involves at least 11 MPs, including former ministers, whom prosecutors want to investigate following the lifting of their immunity.

According to the allegations, dozens of livestock farmers falsified ownership of grazing land in order to obtain millions of euros in European Union funds, allegedly with the help of officials and politicians. Prosecutors last week asked parliament to lift the immunity of the lawmakers concerned.

Mitsotakis described the situation as serious but stressed the need to respect the presumption of innocence. He also called for a swift conclusion to the investigation and a decision on whom to prosecute and to what extent.

Parliament has already received evidence, including transcripts of communications between MPs and officials at the OPEKEPE agency, which manages more than two billion euros a year in agricultural funds. According to prosecutors, the politicians are suspected of abusing their positions to exert pressure.

The waiver of immunity will be discussed by an ethics committee, and parliament is expected to decide by vote next week.

(reuters, max)