Three members of the Greek government have submitted their resignations as a widening investigation into an alleged agricultural funds scandal is passed to Parliament, according to Greek media reports and officials familiar with the matter.
The resignations include Ioannis Kefalogiannis, Minister of Civil Protection, Kostas Tsiaras, Minister of Rural Development, and Dimitris Vartzopoulos, Deputy Minister of Health. The move comes amid growing political pressure as new details linked to the case continue to emerge.
According to initial reports, the resignations are connected to an ongoing investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, which is said to have uncovered a suspected organised scheme involving the misuse of agricultural funds. Authorities have not yet disclosed full details, and parts of the information remain unverified.
The investigation reportedly focuses on events dating back to 2021 and includes potential offences such as computer fraud, document falsification and incitement to breach of trust. The case file, described by local media as extensive, has now been forwarded to the Greek Parliament for further examination, reflecting the political sensitivity of the matter.
The developments come at a delicate moment for the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis, which faces mounting pressure over transparency and accountability. Although still in the investigative phase, the scandal is widely seen by analysts as a potential blow to the government’s credibility, particularly regarding the management of public and EU funds.
At the same time, political sources suggest that Kostas Skrekas is also expected to step down from his role as secretary of New Democracy. Such a move would signal a broader attempt to contain political damage and stabilise the situation.
A cabinet reshuffle is expected to take place later today, with the swearing-in of new ministers reportedly scheduled for the following day. The swift timeline suggests an effort by the government to respond quickly, although it remains unclear whether the changes will be sufficient to ease political pressure.
A key point of contention in the case relates to Greece’s legal framework. Under Article 86 of the Greek Constitution, ministers and former ministers benefit from a form of legal protection for actions carried out during their time in office. This provision, which has long drawn criticism, limits direct criminal prosecution and requires cases involving government members to be handled through Parliament.
According to reports, this legal constraint has forced the European Public Prosecutor’s Office to separate parts of the investigation and forward material concerning senior officials directly to Parliament. Critics argue that the mechanism has historically contributed to political impunity, while supporters say it safeguards institutional balance.
Legal experts and political analysts note that the next steps will depend heavily on how Parliament handles the case. The procedures are expected to be complex and potentially lengthy, with outcomes that could significantly influence Greece’s political climate.
At this stage, it remains unclear whether the resignations stem from direct involvement or represent a broader political response aimed at containing fallout. Authorities have not confirmed whether the ministers are personally under investigation, and several key details have yet to be made public.
What is clear is that the case has reignited debate over transparency, oversight of public funds and political accountability in Greece. With the investigation now entering a parliamentary phase, the issue is likely to remain at the centre of political attention in the weeks ahead.