Greece faces potential loss of agricultural subsidies due to a widespread fraud scandal
The EUROPE scandal, a corruption issue involving fraudulent claims for AGRICULTURE funds, has been making headlines in Greece since it was first reported by POLITICO in February. The scheme, which involves non-existent or unleased pastureland and unperformed agricultural work, has raised questions about the ruling center-right New Democracy party's commitment to a thorough investigation.
The organization responsible for distributing EU farm funds in Greece, OPEKEPE, is being integrated into Greece's Independent Authority for Public Revenue for comprehensive verification of property records and cross-checks before payments. However, the opposition parties have accused the government of torpedoing the investigation by rejecting a list of key witnesses named in a case file sent to the parliament by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO).
The case file includes political figures, and the investigation is ongoing. The EPPO is responsible for investigating the scandal, which has deprived legitimate farmers of the funds they deserved. The fraudulent claims have caused concern within the COUNTRIES IN EUROPE, leading to the withholding of farm subsidies from Greece.
The Greek parliament has begun investigating the OPEKEPE scandal, with MP Milena Apostolaki from the center-left PASOK party accusing the government of using cover-up tactics and protecting key witnesses. Several ministers and deputy ministers have resigned over their alleged involvement in the scandal.
In an effort to address the corruption issue, Greece previously submitted an action plan to address the abuses of payments from the Common Agricultural Policy. However, the EUROPEAN COMMISSION's Directorate-General for Agriculture (DG AGRI) found the action plan to be inadequate and non-compliant with EU rules. Greece is now being asked to amend and strengthen its action plan by October 2.
If Greece fails to submit an action plan, the EUROPEAN COMMISSION may adopt implementing acts suspending monthly or interim payments of farm subsidies. Greek Agriculture Minister Konstantinos Tsiaras has reassured farmers that there is no risk of losing EU agricultural funds.
The person responsible for overseeing the integration of OPEKEPE into the independent Greek tax office and verifying land records as well as cross-check audits is not specified by name in public sources. The investigation into the OPEKEPE scandal continues, and the ruling center-right New Democracy party faces pressure to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation.
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