Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis Reshuffles Cabinet Amid EU Farm Subsidy

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reshuffled his cabinet after several ministers resigned over an EU farm subsidy fraud scandal. Investigators allege millions of euros were illegally claimed through false land and livestock declarations, with the probe by the European Public Prosecutor's Office expanding to include members of the ruling New Democracy party.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has carried out a government reshuffle following multiple resignations linked to an expanding farm subsidy scandal involving European Union funds. The controversy centers on allegations that some lawmakers attempted to divert agricultural subsidies to benefit their political supporters.
Among those who stepped down are Agriculture Minister Kostas Tsiaras, Civil Protection Minister Yiannis Kefalogiannis, and Deputy Health Minister Dimitris Vartzopoulos. All three denied any wrongdoing, stating that their resignations were meant to allow investigations to proceed without interference. As part of the reshuffle, Margaritis Schinas has been appointed as the new agriculture minister.
Opposition parties, including SYRIZA, have dismissed the reshuffle as insufficient and are calling for early elections, warning that the scandal could destabilize the government ahead of next year’s scheduled vote. Mitsotakis has pledged to hold those responsible accountable, promising to imprison those involved and recover misappropriated funds.
The investigation is being led by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), which has widened its probe to include at least 20 members of the ruling New Democracy party, including both current and former lawmakers. Authorities allege offenses such as breach of trust, computer fraud, and submitting false declarations to obtain EU funds.
According to investigators, the scheme involved fraudulent claims such as declaring ownership of land that did not belong to applicants and inflating livestock numbers. Some of the most unusual cases include reported banana plantations on Mount Olympus, olive trees allegedly planted in a military airport, and grazing land declared on an archaeological site.
The total value of the suspected fraud is estimated at around €23 million, dating back to about 2018. A large portion of the questionable subsidies is believed to have been directed to Crete, a region with longstanding political ties to Mitsotakis’ family. Official data shows that about 80% of pasture subsidies between 2017 and 2020 went to the island. Despite a nationwide decline in livestock farming, Crete recorded a sharp rise in registered farmers and a doubling of declared sheep and goat numbers in recent years.
The case has been further complicated by Greece’s legal framework, which requires parliamentary approval before sitting ministers can be prosecuted—a process that is often influenced by political majorities. This marks the second wave of resignations connected to the scandal, following the departure of five senior officials last year.
Previous investigations have already resulted in arrests and fines related to subsidy mismanagement, and authorities say the ongoing probe could lead to further legal action as efforts continue to uncover the full extent of the alleged fraud.