Greece’s prime minister has carried out a cabinet reshuffle following a string of resignations linked to an investigation into alleged misuse of European Union agricultural subsidies, as authorities pledge full co-operation with prosecutors.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced changes to his cabinet after several ministers stepped down amid an investigation into suspected abuses of agricultural subsidies, government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said on Friday.
Under the new appointments, Evangelos Tournas has been named minister for civil protection, replacing Ioannis Kefalogiannis, while Margaritis Schinas takes over as minister for rural development from Kostas Tsiaras. In addition, Makarios Lazaridis has been appointed deputy minister in the agriculture department.
Kefalogiannis and Tsiaras resigned earlier the same day after their names were linked to an inquiry led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office. Deputy health minister Dimitris Vartzopoulos, who is also implicated in the case, has likewise stepped down.
The investigation concerns suspected fraud involving payments distributed through the now-defunct OPEKEPE agency, which had been responsible for allocating European Union subsidies. According to investigators, some farmers, allegedly acting with the assistance of officials, may have unlawfully obtained EU funds.
Greek authorities have stated their willingness to co-operate fully with the inquiry and have stressed the need to restore transparency in the subsidy distribution system.
