The second round of the OPEKEPE scandal is now underway as two new case files concerning 11 active MPs, a former Minister of Rural Development, and a former Deputy Minister of Development are being forwarded to Parliament today. The transmittal document was signed Thursday evening to ensure delivery to Parliament within the day. As debate on the Hatzidakis bill continues today, the case file concerning the two former cabinet members will be announced in accordance with the law on ministerial responsibility.
OPEKEPE: Parliament receives files for 13 officials – What follows
The case file reportedly concerns the leadership of the Ministry of Rural Development in 2021, namely Spilios Livanos and Fotini Arabatzi. This specific file is referred to Parliament without evaluation. However, the case file concerning the “11” will include evaluation from the European Prosecutor’s Office. The alleged offenses occurred in 2021, and since we are now in 2026, there is a risk of statute of limitations if the justice system fails to investigate and bring cases to trial in time.
The case file concerning the MPs will be forwarded to the Chairman of the Ethics Committee, Giorgos Georgantas, and subsequently distributed to the parties. If statute of limitations appears imminent, the Committee may convene even during Holy Week. The final decision on lifting or maintaining each MP’s immunity rests with the Plenary through open voting. Reports indicate the “11” are Maximos Senetakis (Heraklion), Lakis Vasileiadis (Pella), Notis Mitarakis (Chios), Katerina Papakosta (Trikala), Kostas Karamanlis (Serres), Christos Boukoros (Magnesia), Theofilos Leontaridis (Serres), Kostas Skrekas (Trikala, ND general secretary), Giannis Kefalogiannis (Rethymno, Minister of Civil Protection and Climate Crisis), Kostas Tsiaras (Karditsa, Minister of Rural Development and Food), and Dimitris Vartzopoulos (Thessaloniki B, Deputy Health Minister).
According to preliminary reports, of the 11 New Democracy MPs included in the OPEKEPE case file regarding European subsidies during 2020-2021, only two are being investigated for felony-level involvement in illegal subsidies. These are Serres MP Kostas Ach. Karamanlis and Trikala MP Katerina Papakosta. The remaining nine are being investigated for misdemeanor-level offenses, though ND secretary Kostas Skrekas faces serious misdemeanor charges.
Meanwhile, a case file forwarded to the Athens First Instance Prosecutor’s Office concerns two active MPs suspected of moral complicity in breach of duty, with OPEKEPE officials as alleged direct perpetrators. This process went through the Athens Prosecutor’s Office as this offense falls outside European Prosecutor jurisdiction, which is expected to forward the relevant file to Parliament requesting immunity waiver after Easter.
According to the same sources, these are Tasos Hatzivasileou and Charalampos Athanasios. The same investigation has revealed evidence concerning five additional former MPs suspected of moral complicity in embezzlement. Since these five no longer enjoy parliamentary immunity, they will be summoned directly by European Prosecutors to provide explanations as suspects. Under this framework, the total number of persons under investigation is 20.
Immediate procedure initiation
Parliament Speaker Nikitas Kaklamanis made clear Thursday morning in conversations with parliamentary correspondents that when Parliament receives the case file, no time will be lost and procedures will begin immediately to ensure timely briefing of the House. He said nine copies will be made available for MPs designated by parties and one independent to read in the specially configured first-floor room of the Parliamentary Building – room 168, named after Pavlos Bakoyannis. Kaklamanis reminded that MPs cannot take photographs as this is prohibited during the preliminary phase. Given the rapid developments, the government may proceed immediately with a reshuffle, though government officials, led by government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis, indicate that circumstances will be evaluated once they review the massive case file contents and have all evidence available for decision-making.
