Parliament in Shock: New Discovery in OPEKEPE Case Puts MPs Under Judicial Scrutiny

Significant developments have emerged in the OPEKEPE (Organization for Payment and Control of Agricultural Subsidies) scandal, as the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has transmitted a second case file to Greek authorities, implicating eleven current MPs from the New Democracy party. The case file includes a formal request for lifting parliamentary immunity to allow for criminal investigations.

What the new case file contains

The EPPO, investigating widespread fraud and mismanagement of EU funds via OPEKEPE, has advanced the investigation to a new stage:

• The file requests the Greek Parliament to lift immunity for 11 MPs, so criminal inquiries into their alleged participation in a fraudulent scheme regarding agricultural subsidies can proceed.
• The file contains transcriptions of phone conversations and other communications considered as potential evidence of instigation or complicity in illegal activities.
• Additionally, five former MPs are implicated; since they no longer have parliamentary immunity, they will be summoned directly by the European prosecutors for questioning.

Once processed by the Athens Court of First Instance, the case file will be forwarded to the Hellenic Parliament, which will decide on lifting the MPs’ immunity.

Who is in the spotlight

Based on media reports citing the case file, the MPs under scrutiny include:

Current MPs under request for immunity lifting:

• Katerina Papakosta
• Kostas Achilleas Karamanlis
• Ioannis Kefalogiannis (Minister)
• Panagiotis Mitarakis (Parliamentary spokesperson)
• Kostis Tsiaras
• Kostis Skrekas
• Dimitrios Vartzopoulos
• Maximos Senetakis
• Vasileios Vassiliadis
• Christos Boukoros
• Theofilos Leontaridis

Separately, former ministers and MPs are also implicated and may face direct questioning.

 Political Context and Reactions

  Government Response

Sources within New Democracy emphasize the need for thorough review of all evidence before any political decision. Officials insist on a case-by-case assessment of each implicated MP.

There are also rumors of potential cabinet reshuffles, reflecting the political tension surrounding the EPPO revelations.

Opposition and Parliamentary Debate

Opposition parties have criticized the government for lack of transparency and accountability, claiming EU funds may have been exploited for political gain.

PASOK announced it may call for a confidence vote if the government does not adequately address the scandal.

What Lifting Immunity Means

Parliamentary immunity protects MPs from prosecution while in office. Lifting it allows:

• Prosecutors to initiate criminal charges
• Conduct of investigative actions, including interrogations
• Full judicial review without parliamentary restrictions

The vote in Parliament is expected to dominate the legislative agenda in the coming days.

The second EPPO case file marks a new critical phase in the OPEKEPE investigation. Lifting immunity for MPs, ministerial involvement, and political pressure from opposition and media set the stage for intense institutional and political challenges. Parliament’s upcoming decisions will be pivotal in determining how this investigation proceeds and may influence government stability.

Source: pagenews.gr