Four Greek ministers resigned on Friday, June 27, after being implicated in a major scandal involving misuse of EU agricultural subsidies, sparking political upheaval and prompting government reforms.
The case centres on OPEKEPE, the Greek agency responsible for distributing EU farming subsidies, which is accused of processing fraudulent land leases and declarations to divert millions of euros to non-existent farmland.
The fraud reportedly occurred between 2019 and 2022, with subsidy applications totalling €705 million despite only €298 million being available for organic farming during that period.
Την 19-6-2025, μόλις ανακοινώθηκε η διαβίβαση της σχετικής δικογραφίας περί «ΟΠΕΚΕΠΕ» στην Εισαγγελία του Αρείου Πάγου και χωρίς να έχω δει το περιεχόμενό της, δήλωσα ότι ουδέν επιλήψιμο έχω πράξει. Χθες διαβάστηκε η δικογραφία στην Βουλή και έλαβα γνώση της δικογραφίας.…
— Makis Voridis (@MakisVoridis) June 27, 2025
The resignations include Migration Minister Makis Voridis, Deputy Foreign Minister Tassos Hadjivassiliou, Deputy Minister for Rural Development and Food Dionysis Stamenitis, and Deputy Minister for Digital Governance Christos Boukoros—all previously linked to the agriculture ministry.
Wiretapped conversations revealed attempts to pressure investigators and remove Popi Papandreou, the EU prosecutor’s representative in Athens, who helped uncover the scheme alongside Chief EU Prosecutor Laura Kovesi.
In response, the Greek government has dissolved OPEKEPE and transferred its functions to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) in coordination with the European Commission.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis admitted to government failings, stating, “We failed… The dialogues now coming to light cause indignation and outrage.”
Mitsotakis stressed a need to “cleanse the rot” and pledged that any recipients of illicit EU funds would be required to repay them.
He condemned clientelist practices and warned that “we cannot tolerate behaviours that are reminiscent of transactions for a few votes.”
Separately, the European Commission fined Greece €415 million for the mismanagement of agricultural aid between 2016 and 2023, also linked to OPEKEPE.
Rural Development Minister Kostas Tsiaras confirmed the financial burden would fall on Greek taxpayers.
