At the same time, criticism of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office intensified.
Growing discontent among lawmakers from Greece’s ruling New Democracy party—whose names have surfaced in the investigation into European agricultural subsidies linked to the OPEKEPE case—has exposed internal tensions within the party. Members of parliament have voiced frustration over what they see as insufficient support from the prime minister’s office, prompting a partial adjustment of the government’s initial stance.
Following the initial shock of being named in materials from the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and the uncertainty surrounding the extent of their involvement, the affected MPs began coordinating their response along two lines. The eleven lawmakers, along with colleagues not named in the dossier, argued that the government had adopted an overly defensive position and moved to publicly defend themselves. They insisted that their actions were solely aimed at correcting “some form of injustice” or facilitating the review of requests—“as all parliamentary offices do.” A telling remark circulated among them: “Should we shut down our offices and stop speaking with citizens?” as reported by еKathimerini.
At the same time, criticism of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office intensified. Government representatives spoke of “political motives, targeting of specific individuals, and obsessions, as well as legally unfounded accusations.” Some MPs even considered the possibility of becoming independents—an idea later abandoned, but one that clearly reflected the strained atmosphere.
For its part, the prime minister’s office sought to strike a balance between responding to a politically sensitive issue and calming lawmakers who feel exposed and treated as “expendable.” Early polling data indicating a drop of around two percentage points for the ruling party further heightened tensions, although officials emphasized that “citizens neither understand nor are concerned with the anxieties of MPs.”
The prime minister’s proposal to separate ministerial posts from parliamentary mandates further complicated the situation, sparking concern within the parliamentary group and mixed reactions within the government.
Dissatisfaction has also grown over the way European prosecutors are conducting the investigation. Government figures described it as a “piecemeal tactic,” leaving the administration waiting for successive case files and requests to lift parliamentary immunity. Some voices called for a firmer response, while others warned that a direct confrontation with a European institution could open broader fronts. | BGNES