Five Greek officials resign over EU farm subsidy fraud probe

Five senior Greek government officials, including a cabinet minister, have resigned amid an EU fraud investigation over the mismanagement of farming subsidies.

Greece’s Migration and Asylum Minister Makis Voridis and four other high-ranking officials resigned on Friday following corruption allegations linked to EU agricultural subsidies.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office alleges that between 2019 and 2022, false declarations were submitted to secure EU farming funds. These included fake claims of owning or leasing public pastures, with fraudulent livestock declarations continuing until 2024.

A case file submitted to Greece’s parliament this week includes accusations that government ministers were involved in the organized fraud scheme. Under Greek law, MPs are immune from prosecution unless parliament votes to lift their immunity.

In his resignation letter, Voridis, who served as agriculture minister during part of the alleged fraud period, denied any wrongdoing but said he was stepping down to clear his name.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis accepted the resignations of Voridis, three deputy ministers from the foreign affairs, agriculture, and digital governance portfolios, and the general secretary for agriculture and food.

A government spokesperson said their replacements will be announced in the coming days.

The European Commission recently cut Greece’s farm subsidies by 5%, amounting to €392 million.

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