ATHENS, April 3 (Reuters) – Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to reshuffle his cabinet, a government official said on Friday, as an investigation into alleged farm-aid fraud involving EU funds widens, reaching more senior members of the ruling centre-right party.
The scandal has rocked the government since last year, when European prosecutors charged dozens of Greek stockbreeders with faking ownership of pastureland to claim millions of euros in EU subsidies, allegedly with the help of state employees and conservative politicians.
The affair has already prompted ministerial resignations and led the European Union to impose a hefty fine on the country over mismanagement of the subsidies by its OPEKEPE payment agency.
In a move widening the investigation, the European Chief Prosecutor on Wednesday asked Greece to lift the immunity of at least 11 lawmakers, ministers among them, so they can be investigated over their alleged roles in the scheme.
“The government spokesman will announce changes to the cabinet at 1230 (0930 GMT),” the PM’s office said.
The latest probe relates to alleged crimes against the EU’s financial interests in 2021, including instigation of breach of trust, computer fraud and false attestation with the intent to obtain an unlawful benefit.
The OPEKEPE agency handles more than 2 billion euros ($2.31 billion) in annual EU farm aid.
($1 = 0.8662 euros)
(Reporting by Renee Maltezou and Angeliki Koutantou; Editing by Ros Russell)
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