Greek prime minister urges EU prosecutors to speed agriculture probe

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday urged the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) to expedite its investigation into millions of euros defrauded from EU agriculture subsidies.

“This concerns members of parliament who have already been harmed personally and politically and for that reason at least have the right to defend themselves,” Mitsotakis told Greek radio.

The EPPO requested that the immunity of a number of ministers and members of parliament of the ruling conservative New Democracy (ND) party be lifted. They stand accused of granting favours to voters by securing illegal subsidies.

The allegations range from embezzlement to computer fraud to providing false information. The civil protection and agriculture ministers resigned, along with a state secretary in the Health Ministry.

But who has been charged following the lifting of immunity is not yet known.

The opposition has called on the government to resign and for fresh elections to be held. The ND has ruled Greece since 2019.