The Greek Parliament has lifted the immunity of 13 members of parliament (MPs) from the ruling conservative party, Nea Dimokratia (ND) in connection with allegations of corruption, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office had previously submitted a request to this effect, according to a statement from the parliament’s Bureau.
The deputies involved are accused of favouring their constituents and securing illegal subsidies for them. The allegations range from breach of trust and computer fraud to falsification of documents with the aim of obtaining EU agricultural subsidies.
EU corruption officials informed Athens about the case in March 2025. It concerned fictitious information on alleged agricultural land and the payment of unjustified subsidies for rocky ground, woodland and even land across the border in North Macedonia.
In the wake of the scandal, Greece’s ministers for civil protection and agriculture, as well as a state secretary in the Ministry of Health, have already resigned.
It is still unclear whether charges will actually be brought following the lifting of immunity, and if so, against whom.
The proceedings are expected to drag on for several months before final decisions on possible charges are made.
The conservative ND has governed Greece since 2019 and holds a clear majority of 156 MPs in the 300-seat parliament.