Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis sent a clear message of determination and transparency in his weekly report on government activity, highlighting three key themes: the OPEKEPE subsidy scandal, the acceleration of hydrocarbon exploration south of Crete and the Peloponnese, and the record level of foreign investments driving the Greek economy.
Full Investigation into the OPEKEPE Scandal
Mr. Mitsotakis reiterated that his government “will not back down, regardless of political cost”, until everyone involved in the illegal subsidy network within OPEKEPE — the Payment and Control Agency for Community Aid — is held accountable.
“We will not retreat. I ask for the understanding of the farming community. Payments have already begun and will continue over the coming weeks,” he stated.
The case involves illegal agricultural subsidies exceeding €5 million, with 37 individuals already arrested. Investigations continue as the network appears to be wider than initially believed.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the effectiveness of the Financial Crime Directorate, which in its first year of operation has dismantled 139 criminal organizations and brought over 2,500 offenders before justice — a milestone he described as “proof that institutional integrity is non-negotiable.”
Energy and Hydrocarbons: A New Era for Greece
Turning to the country’s energy agenda, Mr. Mitsotakis announced that the Chevron – Helleniq Energy consortium has officially been declared the preferred investor for hydrocarbon exploration in four offshore blocks south of Crete and the Peloponnese, covering a total area of 47,000 square kilometers.
“The process is moving faster than expected. Seismic surveys are scheduled to begin within 2026,” he said.
The Prime Minister noted that confirming natural gas reserves could transform Greece into an alternative energy supplier for Europe, strengthening the country’s geopolitical standing in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Investments and Tourism at Record Levels
Presenting encouraging economic data, Mr. Mitsotakis highlighted that foreign direct investment has already reached €8 billion in the first eight months of 2025 — an all-time record for Greece.
The tourism sector continues its robust performance, with 26 million visitors and €16.7 billion in travel revenues, while the absorption rates of EU Recovery and Resilience funds and the 2021–2027 NSRF remain among the highest in the European Union.
“Greece is no longer a ‘toxic economy’. It is now a country that inspires confidence and optimism,” he underlined.
Health and Culture in Focus
On the social policy front, the Prime Minister highlighted the opening of the National Transplant Center and the Onassis Children’s Hospital, major additions to the country’s public health system.
He also praised the national organ donation campaign, noting that more than 50,000 new donors have registered within just 20 days — a significant milestone in Greece’s public health modernization efforts.
Concluding his address, Mr. Mitsotakis paid tribute to the late Dionysis Savvopoulos, one of Greece’s most beloved songwriters, and announced that 2026 will be declared the “Year of Manos Hadjidakis” to mark the centenary of the composer’s birth.
“Hadjidakis taught culture through free spirit and profound intellect. It is time for Greece to honor him accordingly,” he said.
