Greek government cabinet reshuffle following OPEKEPE scandal investigation

Three Greek government officials, Minister of Rural Development Kostas Tsiaras, Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Giannis Kefalogiannis, and Deputy Minister of Health Dimitris Vartzopoulos, resigned following their involvement in an investigation by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) concerning the OPEKEPE agricultural funding scandal. The EPPO has requested the lifting of immunity for 11 current members of parliament and is investigating a total of 20 political figures, including former ministers and deputies, regarding alleged fraud involving EU agricultural funds dating back to 2021. Following the resignations, government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis announced a cabinet reshuffle. Margaritis Schinas has been appointed as the new Minister of Rural Development, with Makarios Lazaridis serving as his Deputy. Evangelos Tournas succeeds Giannis Kefalogiannis as Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection. The portfolio for Mental Health, previously held by Vartzopoulos, will be redistributed internally within the Ministry of Health. All three resigned officials have stated their intent to request the lifting of their parliamentary immunity to address the allegations.