The Prime Minister also called on the European Public Prosecutor’s Office to act swiftly following the lifting of parliamentary immunity for MPs involved in the OPEKEPE investigation, stating that it must be determined quickly whether prosecutions will be pursued, and against whom.

Lifting Parliamentary Immunity

Mitsotakis addressed the recent developments in the OPEKEPE case without evasion, emphasizing his responsibility both as Prime Minister and as leader of New Democracy.

He described the transmission of case files requesting the lifting of immunity for 11 New Democracy MPs as a serious development, noting that the evidence relied on lawful wiretaps conducted by Greek authorities and that the events under investigation occurred in 2021.

“All involved MPs have not gained any personal financial benefit,” Mitsotakis said, highlighting the importance of the presumption of innocence. He urged the European Prosecutor to act without delay so that the MPs can defend themselves and recover from the personal and political consequences they have already faced.

Reforming OPEKEPE and Tackling Clientelism

The Prime Minister criticized long-standing clientelist practices, which he described as a persistent “scourge” in Greek politics. He admitted that stronger measures could have been taken earlier, but emphasized that a major reform is now underway: OPEKEPE no longer exists in its old form, and responsibility for agricultural subsidies has been transferred to the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE).

“This change ensures that, as with tax matters, agricultural subsidies will no longer be subject to political influence,” Mitsotakis said. He further stressed that clientelist practices have plagued Greece since its founding, making it unrealistic for any elected MP to claim they have never assisted a constituent.

Since 2019, he explained, his government has sought to build a modern European state where citizens are treated fairly and transparently, without needing personal connections to navigate the public system.

Digital Transformation and Transparency

Mitsotakis outlined how digital modernization is central to curbing corruption, noting examples such as:

• Faster pension processing
• Automatic issuance of traffic fines
• Equal military service procedures
• Satellite monitoring of crops
• Electronic tagging of livestock

“These measures remove the political ‘oxygen’ from clientelism,” he said, highlighting that technology and transparency are key to eliminating outdated practices.

A Turning Point for Political Reform

The Prime Minister also acknowledged a broader crisis of trust in Greece’s political institutions. He described the current moment as a turning point and announced plans for institutional reforms to be implemented after the next national elections. Key proposals include:

• Prohibiting ministers from simultaneously serving as MPs
• Temporarily replacing ministers in Parliament with the first runner-up
• Strengthening the role and responsibilities of MPs

Mitsotakis stressed that these reforms will be subject to public consultation and are part of a broader effort to modernize Greek politics.

Looking Ahead

Reflecting on the future, Mitsotakis emphasized the importance of confronting structural weaknesses that have persisted for centuries. He expressed confidence that Greek citizens will support efforts to modernize public life, enhance transparency, and reduce corruption.

“The country will overcome what holds it back,” he concluded. “Our path forward is clear, with the 2027 elections marking the first decisive step.”