The first reaction to the OPEKEPE file forwarded to Parliament, in which his name is mentioned, was given by the Minister of Migration, Makis Voridis, speaking to SKAI. He said that since he received a copy of the file, he feels calmer, as the case is limited to a single item.

“I received a copy of the file. When the European Public Prosecutor’s Office announced it, I said that you citizens do not know what I have done and what I have not done. I know what I have done. So I said at the time, without having seen the file, that there was nothing to be found. I will not hide from you that I had a notion, but since yesterday, I am more relieved because what had seen the light as controllable is the only thing in the case file,” he said.

Explaining the nature of the reference to his name, he said: “A decision of the 2019 management of the OPEKEPE to allocate grazing land, on which I had written the word ‘agree’ on it. That’s it.” At the same time, he stressed that “I have no conversation with any cattle farmer.”

Voridis clarified that at the time he had just taken office as Minister of Rural Development and had asked the OPEKEPE administration, which had been appointed under the SYRIZA government, to remain in place so that the necessary payments could be made.

“For this signature, I am under scrutiny. There is no record, no speech, no order, no communication with the administration to give money, nor is there any conversation between me and a farmer or rancher to give money. The OPEKEPE’s decision is an execution of a ministerial decision and it is not mine, but that of the previous government.”

The minister reiterated that the case involves nothing more than that and made it clear that he considers the audit legitimate, but there is no cause for concern as to his involvement.