The two case files concerning the OPEKEPE affair are on their way to Parliament, requesting the lifting of immunity for 11 MPs and the referral of one former (2021) Minister of Rural Development and his deputy to a preliminary investigation committee.

According to information, the MPs whose immunity is being requested to be lifted are:

• Maximos Senetakis (Heraklion)
• Lakis Vasileiadis (Pella)
• Notis Mitarakis (Chios)
• Katerina Papakosta (Trikala)
• Kostas Karamanlis (Serres)
• Christos Boukoros (Magnesia)
• Theofilos Leontaridis (Serres)
• Kostas Skrekas (Trikala, Secretary General of New Democracy)
• Giannis Kefalogiannis (Rethymno, Minister of Civil Protection and Climate Crisis)
• Kostas Tsiaras (Karditsa, Minister of Rural Development and Food)
• Dimitris Vartzopoulos (Thessaloniki B, Deputy Minister of Health)

The second case file is being submitted under Article 86 of the Constitution and the law on ministerial responsibility and concerns Spilios Livanos and Fotini Arabatzi for actions and omissions during their tenure at the Ministry of Rural Development.

According to reports, the file accompanying the request to lift the immunity of current Minister of Civil Protection Giannis Kefalogiannis does not include his own conversations but those of a close associate, who communicates with the then president of OPEKEPE, Dimitris Melas. The associate is said to request favors for individuals who are currently in pre-trial detention for illegal agricultural subsidies.

Regarding Kostas Skrekas, there is a direct conversation with Melas in which the MP is informed that his request is irregular and that the electronic system for submitting applications is closed. However, he insists, citing the strong party affiliation of the applicant. Melas reportedly says he will bypass the system and handle it manually, with Skrekas praising him. He then instructs a subordinate to proceed, noting that a favor is owed in return.

A close associate of Kostas Tsiaras also appears aware that his request is not lawful but insists, saying it concerns a person close to him. At the time, Tsiaras was Minister of Justice.

In the case of MP Kostas Karamanlis from Serres, the request to lift immunity concerns a felony, as it involves a collective request from 37 producers, with estimated damages exceeding €120,000. There is no direct conversation with him, but communication occurs through a close associate.

Which cases are considered most serious

The case of Giannis Kefalogiannis is considered more “solid,” as his associate appears in conversations about subsidies.
The case of Kostas Tsiaras is viewed as milder, involving a request following storm “Ianos” for assistance regarding farmland.
Deputy Minister Dimitris Vartzopoulos is said to have sent a message to a senior OPEKEPE official regarding a citizen’s case, simply asking to “take a look if possible.”

More serious is the case of Kostas Ach. Karamanlis, involving payments to 37 organic farmers in Serres, with an estimated amount of around €900,000—well above the felony threshold.
Similarly, the case of Katerina Papakosta is considered serious, involving around €150,000 and references to “forged documents.”

There are also milder cases. For example, Notis Mitarakis does not appear to have direct or indirect involvement, with OPEKEPE officials merely discussing a request forwarded from his office.

Cabinet reshuffle expected soon

The countdown for government changes has begun, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expected to make decisions soon regarding implicated ministers. Those most at risk of leaving include Kefalogiannis, Tsiaras, and Vartzopoulos, while Skrekas is considered highly unlikely to remain in his position.

More drastic moves, including dismissals of MPs facing serious charges, are also possible. Former minister Kostas Ach. Karamanlis and Katerina Papakosta are at the center of these decisions. It remains to be seen whether they will be expelled or asked to step down voluntarily. Those who leave now are unlikely to be included in future electoral lists unless their legal cases are fully resolved.