Greek Prime Minister Requests Swift EU Probe into MPs in €23 Million Farm Subsidy Fraud Case

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis requested on Monday that the European Public Prosecutor's Office launch proceedings without delay against lawmakers suspected of involvement in fraud related to EU agricultural subsidies. The request came amid an ongoing investigation by EU prosecutors into numerous members of the ruling New Democracy party.

Greek authorities estimate the fraud network defrauded at least 23 million euros ($27 million) since it began around 2018.

Mitsotakis also requested the lifting of immunity for the 11 MPs under investigation, all of whom are members of his party according to Greek media. In a statement broadcast on public television, he said the office should take all investigative measures once immunity is lifted and rule on charges against individuals.

“I am asking the European Public Prosecutor's Office, once the immunity of our MPs has been lifted, to immediately take all investigative measures,”

EU prosecutors first detailed the scam in May, accusing some subsidy beneficiaries of making false claims for land they did not own and exaggerating the number of animals on farms. Cases under investigation include banana plantations on Mount Olympus and pastures declared on archaeological sites. Most of the fraudulent subsidies were directed to the island of Crete.

The allegations prompted raids and arrests in October, along with protests by legitimate farmers whose subsidies were delayed. Three cabinet members resigned last week over the scandal, increasing pressure on the Greek government.

Mitsotakis has stated that the fraud began before his New Democracy party came to power in 2019. He has committed to ensuring imprisonment of those responsible and recovery of the funds. The prime minister attributed the issue to longstanding cronyism in Greece, which he described as a factor in the country's challenges compared to other European nations.