Description: Centre – right Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis has come under scrutiny over a corruption scandal looking to cause massive disruptions in his shaky government. The scandal revolved around the misuse of agricultural subsidies provided by the European Union to the amount of EUR 290 million and included nonexistent farmers and landowners, fictitious cattle and several state ministers. The funds were distributed through the dissolved national subsidy agency, OPEKEPE. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has launched an investigation into the corruption scandal which prompted several of the reported ministers involved in the scandal to submit their resignations. Mitsotakis is under public pressure after his statements of establishing a special investigations taskforce drew skepticism of resulting in any conclusive decisions since most of the ministers involved pertained to his political camp. Greece is also facing significant migrant crisis, which would be further aggravated with Mitsotakis appointing of Thanos Plevris, a far -right conservative with strong negative positions towards migration.
Impact: The scandal with the misuse of European funds substantially threatens the political and governing longevity of Prime Minister Mitsotakis and the internal stability in Greece which is facing multi – layered domestic crises. The Prime Minister’s government has been plagued with scandals such as the deadly tragedies involving migrant ships and the Tempi railway disaster which set the basis for public mistrust in his New Democracy ruling party. Greece is also currently facing mounting pressure from handling a rapidly developing migrant crisis, as the country is the focal point towards Europe from the Middle East and Africa, while the appointment of a far – right conservative minister would fuel even further political divisions. Greece is on the verge of a political crisis and potential early elections if Mitsotakis fails to address and resolve the corruption scandal expediently.