By majority vote following a roll call, Parliament approved New Democracy’s proposal to establish a Committee of Inquiry into the OPEKEPE scandal, effectively halting efforts to investigate potential criminal liability for the government’s former Rural Development Ministers, Makis Voridis and Lefteris Avgenakis [1], [2].
According to ND’s proposal, the committee’s stated aim is to examine any possible responsibilities and restore the credibility of the agricultural subsidy payment system, ensuring it becomes a reliable, effective, and fair mechanism for all producers in the country.
The motion received 166 votes in favor (from ND, Course of Freedom, and independent MPs), 92 votes against, while the Communist Party (KKE) and Greek Solution abstained.
Meanwhile, Parliament is today debating and will vote on two alternative motions, submitted by PASOK-KINAL and by SYRIZA–Progressive Alliance together with New Left, calling for the establishment of a Preliminary Inquiry Committee to investigate Voridis and Avgenakis.
The motions request an investigation into the possible commission of the felony of repeated complicity in breach of trust involving damages exceeding €120,000. Avgenakis is also accused of exerting intense pressure to unblock suspect tax IDs (AFMs) and allow illegal disbursements from OPEKEPE. SYRIZA further calls for examining the two former ministers for complicity in criminal breach of trust against the EU’s financial interests.
To pass, a Preliminary Inquiry Committee requires an absolute parliamentary majority—at least 151 votes in favor. If this threshold is not met, the motion is dismissed as manifestly unfounded.
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