Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has named new ministers including Thanos Plevris as Migration and Asylum Minister following resignations over an EU farm subsidy fraud probe implicating senior officials and New Democracy party members. The scandal involves alleged misuse of millions in EU agricultural funds via OPEKEPE from 2019-2021, prompting opposition demands for further accountability and potential immunity lifts for 11 MPs as of April 2026.
Greek Prime Minister Reshuffles Cabinet After Key Resignations
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced four new cabinet appointments on 28 June 2025, addressing a wave of resignations tied to a corruption scandal over misused European Union agricultural subsidies. The moves came swiftly after five senior officials, including a minister, stepped down on 27 June 2025, following a case file from the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) submitted to Greek authorities.
As reported by Xinhua news agency, former Health Minister Thanos Plevris was appointed Minister of Migration and Asylum, while Harry Theoharis—or Harry Theocharis as noted in some outlets—became Deputy Foreign Minister. Yiannis Andrianos and Christos Dermentzopoulos were named Deputy Ministers for Rural Development and Food, and Digital Governance, respectively. Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis confirmed the officials would be sworn in on Monday, 30 June 2025.
The Independent reported that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis accepted resignations from a minister, deputy ministers of foreign affairs, agriculture and food, digital governance, and the general secretary of agriculture and food. Replacements were promised “in the coming days,” according to spokesman Pavlos Marinakis.
Details of the Resignations and EPPO Investigation
The resignations stemmed from an EPPO investigation into alleged fraudulent allocation of EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) subsidies through Greece’s OPEKEPE agency between 2019 and 2021. Subsidies were reportedly given to ineligible farmers using falsified documentation, with all five officials holding key posts at the Ministry of Rural Development and Food during that period.
Neos Kosmos detailed that Migration Minister Makis Voridis resigned on 27 June 2025, linked to claims of involvement in the fraud during his tenure as agriculture minister from mid-2019 to early 2021. This followed an EPPO case file sent to Athens parliament a week prior, probing two former ministers in Mitsotakis’s government.
Euronews corroborated that five Greek government officials resigned over EU farming subsidy fraud allegations, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis accepting the departures. Spokesman Pavlos Marinakis reiterated replacements would come soon.
Greek Reporter noted the crisis engulfed the ruling New Democracy (ND) party, with party officials Andreas Karasarinis, secretary of ND’s agricultural organisations, and Yiannis Troullinos, a political committee member, resigning on 28 June 2025 after EPPO naming. Their resignations were accepted by party leadership.
Background on the EU Farm Subsidy Fraud Scheme
The scandal centres on organised fraud targeting EU agricultural funds managed by OPEKEPE. As per Greek Reporter’s Tasos Kokkinidis, it began as questions about farm payments but evolved into Prime Minister Mitsotakis’s worst political headache.
Xinhua specified the EPPO file alleges subsidies were fraudulently allocated based on falsified documents from 2019-2021.
New Appointments and Political Profiles
Greek Reporter highlighted the appointees’ profiles. Harry Theocharis, an experienced MP and former cabinet holder from ND’s centrist faction, took the Deputy Foreign Ministry as a technocrat. Giannis Andrianos, a party veteran with farming sector ties, became Deputy Minister for Rural Development and Food. Christos Dermetzopoulos, a 41-year-old MP, filled the Digital Governance deputy role to refresh the scandal-hit cabinet.
The outlet described Thanos Plevris as a controversial hard-right figure now handling migration policy.
Pavlos Marinakis, as government spokesperson, managed announcements on swearing-in and replacements across reports.
Escalation into 2026: Opposition and Immunity Challenges
By April 2026, the scandal widened significantly. Greek Reporter’s Tasos Kokkinidis reported on 2 April 2026 that the opposition demanded resignations after EPPO implicated 11 New Democracy MPs and two former ministers. The case file went to Parliament, focusing on the OPEKEPE fraud scheme siphoning millions.
The New Left party challenged the government’s “chronic systemic issues” narrative. They questioned if Prime Minister Mitsotakis would block a Pre-Trial Investigative Committee or deny ministerial liability despite EPPO findings.
Euronews video coverage on 1 April 2026 noted EU prosecutors urging Greece to lift immunity for 11 MPs in the multimillion-euro scam, increasing pressure on Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Reports indicated Prime Minister Mitsotakis considered a major cabinet reshuffle amid intensifying opposition attacks.
Government and Party Responses
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis accepted all resignations promptly, signalling damage control. Party leadership swiftly handled ND officials’ exits.
No direct quotes from Mitsotakis appear in sourced materials, but his actions—announcing replacements and potential reshuffles—demonstrate response to the crisis.
Broader Implications for Greek Politics
The affair has triggered one of Greece’s most severe political crises under New Democracy, blending government, party, and parliamentary immunity issues. From initial June 2025 resignations to April 2026 EPPO escalations, it underscores vulnerabilities in EU fund management.
Opposition parties like New Left press for transparency and accountability, contrasting government defences.
Related Developments and EU Actions
Greek Reporter linked to an EU fine on Greece for massive farm subsidy fraud, though specifics remain in related coverage.
The EPPO’s role persists, with ongoing probes into ministerial and MP involvement.
