The Greek government has decided to abolish OPEKEPE, the organization handling the payment of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy funds to Greek farmers, and incorporate it into the Public Revenue Authority (AADE).
The decision came following complaints by the European Public Prosecutor Office (EPPO)) about the cooperation of OPEKEPE during probe referring to illegal funds worth several millions of euros and the removal of the chief of the organization.
Citing government sources media reported that “internal changes to upgrade OPEKEPE were not successful, and the government collaborated with the European authorities in an effort to create a transparent and comprehensive payment system that is friendly to farmers.”
The functions related to payments and controls will pass on to AADE, where the staff of the former OPEKEPE will be transferred. The plan is the full integration into the internal revenue service by the second half of 2026. Relevant legislation will be tabled by July, government sources added.
“The message is clear: the system of agricultural subsidies and payments enters a new era, putting an end to bad practices and decades-long wrongs that deprived farmers who acted responsibly of funding and opportunities. The process will begin immediately, with the collaboration of the Ministries of Rural Development & Food, National Economy & Finance, and AADE, under the supervision of the deputy premier,” the sources said.
PS bad practices were know for years, as the sources noted but forgot to clarify that Mitsotakis’ New Democracy has been ruling the country since 2019 and several years before with the exception of a SYRIZA break 2015-2019.
