Developments are rapid in the OPEKEPE case following a new case file from the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), which will be sent to Parliament tomorrow morning, April 2, 2026. According to information, it involves 11 sitting MPs, one former minister and deputy minister of Rural Development, and 5 former MPs of the Hellenic Parliament for whom there is a separate investigation. The announcement by the European Public Prosecutor hit Maximos Mansion like a bombshell, as it was believed the file would arrive after Easter. What it states creates a massive institutional problem for the government, which will have to vote in favor of lifting the immunity of its own MPs, while being forced to vote in favor of a preliminary investigation committee to explore criminal responsibilities of former ministers and deputy ministers. Nevertheless, New Democracy has a good opportunity to "cleanse" its ranks of corruption, entanglement, and scandals. None of those appearing to be involved should be candidates for New Democracy in the elections again if the Mansion wants to send the message that it does not harbor criminals.
Which names are included
As the investigation concerns acts committed in 2021, the names focused on by the European Public Prosecutor include the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Spilios Livanos, who was dismissed in February 2022 for another reason. Also, according to information from BN, which is transferred with reservation, his deputy ministers were the current MP for Phthiotis, Giorgos Oικοnomou, as well as the then-deputy minister Fotini Arabatzi, who was replaced on August 31, 2021, by Evia MP Simos Kedikoglou. It is not yet known which deputy minister is being investigated.
Additionally, information suggests that on the EPPO list are the current Minister of Rural Development, Kostas Tsiaras,
and former Minister of Rural Development, Kostas Skrekas,
as well as MPs Katerina Papanikolaou, Kostas Karamanlis, Giannis Kefalogiannis, Notis Mitarachi, Dimitris Vartzopoulos, Maximos Senetakis, Vassilis Vassiliadis, Christos Boukoros, and Theofilos Leontaridis.
Furthermore, the announcement indicates that immunity will be requested for sitting MPs without specifying if they are former ministers or deputy ministers (of other ministries). Meanwhile, the European Public Prosecutor’s investigation continues in every direction for political or non-political persons. Five former MPs have also come under the scrutiny of the European Public Prosecutor.
The list grows
In the first case file, we remind you, the names of Avgenakis-Voridis were mentioned, for whom the European Prosecutor requested an investigation by Parliament, which did not happen because the parliamentary majority was negative.
It also contained names such as Christos Boukoros, Christos Kellas (who remains a deputy minister), Fanis Pappas, Tasos Chatzivasileiou, Theofilos Leontaridis, Dionysis Stamenitis, Thanasis Stavropoulos, Maximos Senetakis, as well as MPs Parasiris (PASOK) and Vassilis Kokkalis (SYRIZA).
Admission of developments by Pavlos Marinakis
The revelations regarding OPEKEPE 2 have caused a shock at Maximos Mansion, and no one can rule out rapid developments. For now, they admit the problem and try to gain time. Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, in a statement, stressed that: "Today's announcement by the European Public Prosecutor constitutes a serious development. We await the transmission of the case file to the Hellenic Parliament in order to carry out an assessment for each case separately."
The lifting of immunity
The request for the lifting of immunity, filed according to Article 29 of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office regulations, is considered critical for the progress of the process, as without it, the investigation of the facts cannot fully proceed. The charges being examined include serious offenses against the EU financial interests, such as computer fraud, incitement to breach of trust, and false certification for the purpose of obtaining illegal financial benefit. However, the case is further complicated due to the institutional framework. According to Article 86 of the Constitution, any evidence concerning potential responsibilities of ministers during the performance of their duties must be transmitted to Parliament, a fact that essentially limits the European Public Prosecutor's ability to proceed with a unified investigation. This leads to a forced "splitting" of the process, creating a complex legal and political landscape. For now, authorities are maintaining silence on further details to protect the course of the investigation. At the same time, it is emphasized that all persons involved are presumed innocent until proven otherwise. This dark case, however, has already triggered intense reflection, as it brings to the fore serious questions about the management of European funds, the functioning of auditing mechanisms, and the limits of political responsibility. The only certainty is that this investigation is not just another formal procedure...
A blow to the government - Mitsotakis' narrative collapses
This development is already perceived as a strong political "slap" for the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, as the investigation touches the core of European fund management and raises serious questions about the effectiveness of auditing mechanisms and administrative supervision. At a time when the government projects an image of institutional normalcy and transparency, the intervention of the European Public Prosecutor overturns the narrative, creating strong political pressures and opening a new cycle of questioning around the functioning of the state... and, of course, a new collapse in the polls.
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