Evidence mounts in farm subsidy scandal

Political tensions are rising arsenic the authorities awaits the ceremonial transmission of lawsuit files to Parliament successful a widening probe into alleged amerciable cultivation subsidies, while statement intensifies implicit imaginable governmental consequences.

Authorities person compiled grounds pointing to interference by existent and erstwhile officials successful the subsidy system of OPEKEPE, including approvals of applications antecedently rejected. The findings are based successful portion connected recorded telephone conversations from 2020-2021 gathered by constabulary and reviewed by European prosecutors.

The lawsuit files see allegations involving lawmakers and a erstwhile agriculture minister, with 1 lawsuit describing approvals granted to 37 producers whose applications had initially been denied. The total payments exceeded thresholds associated with felony-level offenses.

As ineligible scrutiny deepens, governmental reactions person escalated. The authorities has said it will refrain from elaborate remark until the lawsuit record reaches Parliament, but nationalist statement and speculation person intensified.

Deputy Prime Minister Kostis Hatzidakis, responding to absorption person Nikos Androulakis’ telephone for aboriginal elections, near unfastened that possibility. “Requests are sometimes accepted,” helium said, adding, “You are asking for elections and you reminded maine of the lamb that asks for Easter to come.”

Government sources aboriginal described the remark arsenic rhetorical, emphasizing that the absorption is trailing importantly successful polls. Another lawmaker said elections would take spot “at the scheduled time,” underscoring that the remark was a effect to governmental pressure.

Despite speculation, authorities officials contradict immoderate program for aboriginal elections, insisting that the vote will beryllium held successful 2027. However, some admit that the evolving quality of the lawsuit makes outcomes hard to predict.

Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said the ruling enactment supports lifting parliamentary immunity when requested, citing past practice. He besides rejected absorption claims of organization misconduct, noting that the recorded conversations were collected by Greek authorities during the play successful question.

Questions stay astir whether lawmakers implicated successful the lawsuit could look further governmental consequences, including expulsion from the ruling party. Such a determination could impact parliamentary numbers.

Officials bespeak that furniture changes are likely, with ministers named successful the lawsuit expected to beryllium replaced. The timing and scope of immoderate reshuffle stay under information arsenic the authorities weighs its adjacent steps.