European prosecutors have forwarded a new batch of case files to Greek authorities in a widening investigation into alleged fraud involving European Union farm subsidies, this time implicating two sitting lawmakers, officials said on Thursday.
The move follows a separate dossier sent a day earlier by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) to Greece’s Supreme Court involving 11 lawmakers from the ruling New Democracy party.
The case centres on allegations that EU agricultural funds were improperly distributed to ineligible recipients or based on false claims, in a scandal that has put pressure on Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ government.
Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said authorities would assess the cases individually, adding that “to judge somebody we must first see what they have done,” and ruling out early elections.
New Democracy holds a slim parliamentary majority, and analysts say the number of lawmakers under scrutiny could test the government’s ability to maintain control if expulsions are required.
The latest case is understood to involve allegations that the two lawmakers — whose party affiliation was not disclosed — incited officials at the now-defunct OPEKEPE farm subsidy agency to breach their duty.
The files have been passed to first-instance prosecutors, as breach of duty falls outside EPPO’s mandate.
Under Greek law, members of parliament are protected by immunity, which can only be lifted by parliament.
Separately, five former lawmakers who no longer enjoy immunity are expected to be summoned by EPPO for questioning as suspects in the same case.