Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002308/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Galato Alexandraki (ECR)
The extensive agricultural subsidy fraud scandal in Greece, uncovered by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, led to a EUR 283 million fine from the Commission on OPEKEPE and calls into question its accreditation as a paying agency. Following investigations into thousands of fake VAT numbers, false declarations of ownership, lack of controls and indications of political cover-up, the Greek Government launched a restructuring plan in cooperation with DG AGRI. In this context, a 12-month restructuring plan for OPEKEPE has been put into effect, which includes its abolition and transfer to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (IAPR), the full digitalisation of procedures, the reconstitution of the Board of Directors and institutional oversight by the Ministry of Rural Development and Food.
In view of the above:
- 1.What is the Commission’s assessment of the progress of the OPEKEPE reconstruction plan?
- 2.How does the Commission assess the closure of the organisation and the transfer of payments to the IAPR, and does the Commission intend to impose an alternative management regime (e.g. through the EU)?
- 3.How is it being ensured that law-abiding farmers will not be deprived of aid during this critical transition?
Submitted: 10.6.2025