The main opposition Socialist PASOK party on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to dismiss any members of his conservative government might be among the lawmakers facing potential charges over a major farm subsidy scandal.
PASOK’s comments followed a request by the European Chief Prosecutor for Greece to lift the immunity of 11 lawmakers to allow an investigation into their role in the scandal that involved European Union subsidies paid through the now-defunct state OPEKEPE agency. The scandal has already sparked political resignations and drawn a hefty EU fine.
The names of the 11 lawmakers have not been made public. But PASOK cited media reports that they include two current Cabinet ministers, two deputy ministers and a senior official in the governing New Democracy party.
“Provided that is confirmed, Mr Mitsotakis has only one choice: To dismiss the ministers and deputy ministers,” a party statement said. “The OPEKEPE scandal carries the broad signature of New Democracy.”