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Lawmakers listen to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during a plenary session of Parliament in Athens, on March 4. [Nikos Halkiopoulos\/Intime News]<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Parliament will vote Wednesday on whether to lift the immunity of 13 lawmakers from the ruling New Democracy party who are allegedly implicated in a farm subsidies scandal.<\/p>\n
However, some members of the ruling party have indicated they do not view all cases as equally serious and may not support lifting immunity for all those involved.<\/p>\n
In a social media post Sunday, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis urged ND lawmakers to back lifting the immunity of those named in the case files. At the same time, he called on the European Public Prosecutor to \u201cprove her objectivity and demonstrate that she can do her job properly by avoiding selective leaks and staying out of internal political competition.\u201d<\/p>\n
European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kovesi is due to visit Greece this week to attend and speak at the Delphi Economic Forum.<\/p>\n
Foot-and-mouth disease outbreak<\/h3>\n
The country\u2019s newly appointed agriculture minister, Margaritis Schinas, is scheduled to hold a press conference Monday at midday on the outbreak of highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease on the island of Lesvos.<\/p>\n
PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis is expected to visit the island Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Farmers continued their blockade of the island for a seventh consecutive day Monday, saying the Agriculture Ministry failed to meet their demands during talks last week. Restrictive measures have not contained the outbreak, with 12 new cases reported last week and about 7,500 animals culled so far.<\/p>\n
Primary surplus<\/h3>\n
Greece\u2019s 2025 primary surplus will be announced Wednesday and is expected to exceed 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion), reaching between 4.8% and 4.9% of GDP, above the 3.7% target. The extent of available fiscal space for additional benefits has yet to be determined.<\/p>\n
Delphi Economic Forum<\/h3>\n
The 11th Delphi Economic Forum begins Wednesday and runs through Saturday, bringing together international political and business leaders.<\/p>\n
Speakers are expected to include European Council President Antonio Costa, European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kovesi, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, several EU commissioners and OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann.<\/p>\n
Informal EU Council<\/h3>\n
EU leaders will meet in Cyprus on April 23-24 for an informal European Council, focusing on geopolitical challenges, including the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.<\/p>\n
Leaders will also discuss the EU\u2019s long-term budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034, with the aim of reaching agreement by the end of 2026.<\/p>\n
Greece and Cyprus have called for a formal discussion on how Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union \u2013 the bloc\u2019s mutual defense clause \u2013 should be applied in practice. Recent tensions in the Middle East, including a drone attack on British bases in Cyprus, have highlighted security concerns for EU countries outside NATO.<\/p>\n
France-Greece defense pact<\/h3>\n
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to visit Athens on April 24-25 to renew the bilateral defense agreement for another five years.<\/p>\n
The deal, first signed in 2021, includes a mutual defense clause and a commitment by Greece to purchase at least 3 billion euros in French naval vessels. The renewed agreement is expected to expand cooperation to foreign policy, civil protection, the economy and innovation.<\/p>\n
Maritime security, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, is expected to be high on the agenda. Online child protection will also be discussed, with Greece and France among the EU countries promoting measures to regulate minors\u2019 use of social media.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n