On Friday, three Greek government ministers resigned amid an ongoing European investigation into alleged fraud involving European Union farm subsidies. The resignations included Agriculture Minister Kostas Tsiaras, Civil Protection Minister Yiannis Kefalogiannis, and Deputy Health Minister Dimitris Vartzopoulos. Each minister has denied any wrongdoing, emphasising that their decision to resign was intended to facilitate the investigation.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office is currently seeking immunity waivers for 11 lawmakers as part of this investigation, which has generated significant public concern in Greece and has implications for the farming sector. In response to these developments, the centre-right government has promptly reshuffled the Cabinet, appointing former European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas as the new agriculture minister.
The investigation, led by European Chief Prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi, centres on allegations that a Greek state agency failed to prevent the misuse of EU funds through false claims for land and livestock. This incident marks the second wave of resignations linked to the scandal, following the departures of five senior officials last year.
Moreover, Greece’s farming sector is under increasing strain, as evidenced by several weeks of protests over delayed subsidy payments tied to this ongoing inquiry. Earlier this year, large-scale tractor protests took place in Athens and central Greece, reflecting the widespread concern among farmers.
This article used information from The Associated Press.
