ATHENS – Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis plans to reorganize his cabinet as authorities expand their investigation into a massive farm subsidy fraud scheme involving European Union funds, according to a government official who spoke Friday.
The controversy has shaken the administration since the previous year, when European prosecutors brought charges against numerous Greek livestock farmers accused of falsifying land ownership documents to illegally obtain millions of euros in EU agricultural subsidies. The scheme allegedly involved assistance from government workers and members of the conservative political party.
The scandal has already forced several ministers to step down and resulted in the European Union levying significant financial penalties against Greece for poor oversight of subsidies through its OPEKEPE payment organization.
Expanding the scope of the inquiry, Europe’s top prosecutor requested Wednesday that Greece remove legal protections from no fewer than 11 parliamentary members, including current ministers, to allow investigation into their suspected participation in the fraudulent operation.
“The government spokesman will announce changes to the cabinet at 1230 (0930 GMT),” the PM’s office said.
The current investigation focuses on suspected violations against EU financial interests during 2021, encompassing charges of encouraging breach of trust, digital fraud, and providing false documentation to secure illegal financial gains.
The OPEKEPE organization manages over 2 billion euros ($2.31 billion) in yearly European Union agricultural assistance.
