The Greek government has ignited a political storm by announcing the formation of a parliamentary inquiry (Exetastiki Epitropi) to investigate the OPEKEPE agricultural payment authority from 1998 to the present day.
The move, seen by critics as a strategic manoeuvre, has drawn fierce reactions from the opposition parties, which accuse the government of seeking to obscure political and criminal accountability.
Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said the inquiry aims to uncover systemic dysfunctions free from partisan agendas, promoting transparency and justice for farmers. The committee will examine the management of OPEKEPE, the role of technical advisors, systemic control failures, cross-checking mechanisms, and long-standing issues such as the technical workaround for livestock subsidies and the lack of grazing land management plans.
Although the government insists the inquiry is not aimed at prosecuting individuals, but rather at exposing political responsibilities, the opposition sees it differently. PASOK has denounced it as an “orchestrated plan to conceal political responsibility,” while SYRIZA accused the ruling New Democracy party of “muddying the waters” to deflect blame. The Communist Party (KKE) argued that the refusal to initiate a Preliminary Inquiry Committee — which can assess criminal culpability — constitutes a political evasion.
The government’s move, seen as a tactical “checkmate,” removes the initiative from opposition hands and reframes the narrative. By launching an inquiry that spans all administrations since 1998, the government places the blame on systemic issues rather than specific ministers, avoiding the formation of a Pre-Investigative Committee that could lead to criminal charges.
The constitutional distinction between the two types of parliamentary committees is crucial. An Exetastiki Epitropi examines the political impact of policy decisions, while a Proanakritiki Epitropi focuses on alleged criminal actions by specific government members and may recommend formal prosecution. The opposition argues that a Pre-Investigative Committee is required since there is already a case file in Parliament involving former agriculture ministers.
In the coming days, the New Democracy party will formally submit its proposal for the inquiry to Parliament, followed by PASOK’s motion for a Preliminary Inquiry. As political tensions mount, the OPEKEPE scandal risks turning into a battleground over institutional integrity and the separation between politics and justice.
