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politics

Greek ministers resign after EPPO asks Parliament to lift immunity in EU farm aid fraud probe

Three ministers and New Democracy's secretary general quit after the European Public Prosecutor's Office requested Parliament strip immunity from 11 MPs in a probe into suspected fraud on EU agricultural subsidies that may total up to 230 million euros since 2019.

Apr 3rd 2026 · Greece

Insights

  • Three cabinet members resigned: Agriculture Minister Kostas Tsiaras, Civil Protection and Climate Crisis Minister Yannis Vardinoyannis, and Deputy Health Minister Dimitris Vartzopulos.
  • Kostas Skrekas, secretary general of ruling New Democracy, also resigned and is among 11 serving MPs for whom EPPO seeks immunity revocation.
  • On April 1 the European Public Prosecutor's Office asked the Greek Parliament to lift immunity for 11 active MPs and is investigating five former deputies in the case.
  • Authorities say the alleged scheme involved false declarations of land or livestock to obtain EU agricultural subsidies through the state paying agency OPEKEPE.
  • Greek investigations have led to dozens of arrests and estimates that between 200 and 230 million euros may have been paid improperly since 2019.
  • Opposition parties Syriza and PASOK have called for early elections and blamed the government for the political fallout.

Sources