The political dispute over the OPEKEPE EU farm subsidy scandal intensified after the European Public Prosecutor’s Office referred four New Democracy lawmakers for misdemeanor charges and closed files involving seven others.
The government maintained that officials and lawmakers had been unfairly accused and blamed the opposition for publicly targeting them. Opposition parties argued the government could not dismiss criticism while four lawmakers still face referral.
The clash was highlighted by a televised exchange between Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis and PASOK spokesman Kostas Tsoukalas.
Georgiadis said the case concerned possible involvement in the misuse of €13,000 in European funds, calling it “much ado about nothing.” Tsoukalas replied: “You are celebrating because it is not 11, but four are being referred.”
Meanwhile, the European Commission voiced full support for the EPPO, with Justice Commissioner Michael McGrath stressing its independence and member-states’ obligation to cooperate with its work.
