Greece’s parliament has voted to lift the immunity of 13 lawmakers as part of an investigation into the alleged misuse of EU farm subsidies worth at least €23 million.
The MPs, all from the ruling New Democracy party of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, requested the move in order to clear their names.
Parliament Vice President Georgios Georgantas said the decision was passed by a large majority.
The probe, led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), involves 20 party members, including current and former lawmakers.
Investigators are examining allegations of fraud dating back to around 2018, with suspects accused of claiming subsidies for land they did not own or inflating livestock numbers.
Those under investigation have denied wrongdoing, with some arguing their involvement reflected their duties as elected officials.
Former agriculture minister Costas Tsiaras said: “The role of a member of parliament is to take an interest in the citizen and, of course, to intervene in matters that cannot be resolved under the existing legislation.”
The scandal has already triggered political fallout, with several senior figures, including two ministers and two deputy ministers, resigning this month, prompting a government reshuffle.
Meanwhile, Greek police have made dozens of arrests, though none involved politicians.
According to the EPPO, the case concerns “instigation of breach of trust, computer fraud and false attestation with the intent to obtain for another an unlawful benefit.”
The alleged scheme emerged after EU subsidy rules changed in 2014, allowing claims based on land ownership amid an incomplete national land registry.
Mitsotakis, who has said the fraud predates his government, has pledged to jail those responsible and recover the funds, while also calling on the EPPO to “prove its objectivity.”
Source: Euro News.
