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Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday proposed a ban on ministers serving simultaneously as members of Parliament after the 2027 elections, amid a European investigation into alleged European Union farm subsidy fraud that has put significant pressure on his conservative government.<\/p>\n
Under the proposal, ministers would be replaced in Parliament by the next-in-line candidate for as long as they serve in the cabinet, a move Mitsotakis said would also elevate the role of lawmakers.<\/p>\n
The proposal comes after three ministers resigned Friday, triggering a cabinet reshuffle, as the European Public Prosecutor\u2019s Office (EPPO) requested immunity waivers for 11 lawmakers in a case that has stirred public anger in Greece and raised concerns among farmers.<\/p>\n
Speaking about the investigation, Mitsotakis said, \u201cIt is clear that not all cases carry the same weight. One thing, however, is certain: none of our MPs are accused of deriving financial gain.\u201d<\/p>\n
Invoking the presumption of innocence, he urged the EPPO to \u201cproceed swiftly with all investigative actions after the lifting of our MPs\u2019 immunity and decide on how many and which individuals it intends to prosecute\u2026 We are talking about our MPs who have already suffered personal and political harm. They therefore have the minimal right to defend themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mitsotakis, whose administration is now in its seventh year, said the government is committed to fighting corruption long seen as endemic in Greece\u2019s political system. \u201cI strive to transform Greece into a modern European state,\u201d he said, adding that \u201cdigital modernization addresses minor or major corruption wherever the human factor is involved.\u201d<\/p>\n
He described the moment as a \u201cturning point\u201d and \u201ca new starting point in the fight against the \u2018deep state\u2019,\u201d asserting that \u201cNew Democracy is becoming a force for breaking with entrenched wrongs.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n