Greek Migration Minister Voridis Resigns Over OPEKEPE Scandal; Plevris Appointed by PM Mitsotakis, Special Task Force Formed

20 posts • GPT (4.1 mini)

Updated Jun 30, 2025, 02:24 PM

Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum Makis Voridis resigned amid a corruption scandal involving the mismanagement and fraudulent distribution of European Union farming subsidies through the Agricultural Payments Organization (OPEKEPE). Following his resignation, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis appointed Thanos Plevris as the new Minister of Migration and Asylum. Plevris, a hard-right lawmaker, was sworn in along with three new deputy ministers. Mitsotakis publicly acknowledged the government's failure to effectively clean up OPEKEPE, stating that those who received EU funds unlawfully will be required to return them.

He also announced the formation of a special task force to investigate all cases of illegal subsidy payments. The scandal has triggered political turmoil, with calls for a preliminary parliamentary inquiry and criticisms from opposition parties demanding accountability and resignations. Plevris indicated that his priorities include enforcing returns of illegal migrants and combating illegal immigration, continuing policies initiated by his predecessor. The resignations also included several deputy ministers connected to the case. Mitsotakis took responsibility on behalf of current and past governments for the failure to reform the agency and pledged to address the issue transparently.

More breaking stories on DeepNewz — updated live.