OPEKEPE is the Greek Payment and Control Agency for Guidance and Guarantee Community Aid, responsible for distributing agricultural subsidies under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The scandal centres on allegations that hundreds of millions of euros in farmers’ subsidies were fraudulently diverted, with prosecutors filing a case implicating government officials.
‘You are a government of corruption, the best client of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office,’ Famellos told the government benches. ‘With a record of direct assignments, transfers, scandals and even central executives. All your moves are based on an organised corruption plan to benefit the crooks and fraudsters.’
Famellos pointed directly to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, noting that the former president of OPEKEPE, Varras, who has submitted evidence to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, continues to serve as a government adviser. ‘The fish stinks from the head, and in OPEKEPE it stinks very badly,’ he said. ‘In the case file, the PM’s office plays a leading role. Everything leads back there: phone calls, orders. With threats, with blackmail, an omerta of silence, and within the investigation, regular mafia conduct. The same pattern we saw in the wiretapping scandal.’
He accused New Democracy of tailoring the Investigative Committee to shield the government, describing its conclusions as ‘despicable’, and criticised the ruling party for blocking a Pre-Investigation Committee that SYRIZA and the New Left have jointly called for. ‘The government rejects it in order to wash away the responsibilities of ND, your executives and ministers, who gave orders for the release of VAT numbers, for rigged inspections, who signed decisions resulting in the activation of the National Reserve and the fabricated increase in livestock numbers that did not exist in Crete.’
Famellos noted that even the Investigation Committee, despite what he described as deliberate obstruction, had confirmed indications of criminal responsibility for former ministers Voridis and Avgenakis, and that the European Public Prosecutor’s Office had called for a preliminary examination to be opened. He accused the government of excluding crucial witnesses from the proceedings, including individuals named in the case file, and alleged that more than 15 New Democracy ministers are implicated.
He also pointed to fresh revelations, including ‘huge and provocative subsidies’ granted to the best man of a New Democracy MP in Zakynthos, and windfalls from lottery winnings linked to party executives, as well as luxury cars connected to those implicated.
Addressing the government’s use of its parliamentary majority to close down scrutiny of ministers, Famellos cited Health Minister Adonis Georgiades, who he said had stated openly that since New Democracy holds a majority in parliament, it can do as it pleases. ‘ND has decided that it does not want its ministers to be audited. Finally,’ Famellos said, adding that the law on ministerial criminal liability must be reformed so that accountability does not depend on the governing majority.
Famellos also accused the prime minister of remaining silent over European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s decision to proceed with the Mercosur trade agreement, despite the European Parliament, at the initiative of the left, having referred it to the European Court of Justice, effectively freezing it for at least two years. He demanded that the current Minister of Rural Development, Tsiaras, clarify whether he stands with Greek farmers or with multinationals and von der Leyen.
He closed with a direct call for the government’s removal: ‘You must leave quickly, taking your parastate with you. This clientelist state is not to be reformed; it is to be dismantled. So that the struggles of Greek women and Greek producers can be vindicated. So that the Greek countryside can come alive. So that society can breathe. So that there is hope and a future for this country.’
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