Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has lashed out at the European Public Prosecutor's Office for how it handled corruption investigations into New Democracy officials linked to farm subsidy fraud, saying the cases against several party members should never have advanced given weak evidence.
"We are not here to cover up any wrongdoing," Mr. Mitsotakis said, addressing the OPEKEPE investigation, adding that he hopes the case concludes soon so the party can move past it.
aHe thanked lawmakers who had their cases dismissed, questioning why charges were brought in the first place given what he called extremely weak evidence, as well as those still facing judicial proceedings, whom he said would need to provide explanations "with dignity."
Mr. Mitsotakis said the European Public Prosecutor's Office, as an institution, is not in question, but raised concerns about how it handled these specific cases, arguing prosecutors are ultimately judged by results and that the outcome showed the work "was not done as it should have been."
He said the episode raises broader questions about the boundaries of a lawmaker's role and how to protect public administration processes while ensuring transparency and accountability.
On Greece's proposed constitutional revision, Mr. Mitsotakis thanked lawmakers for their active participation in the relevant parliamentary committee, criticizing opposition parties, particularly PASOK, for declining to take part in the process.
He accused PASOK of undermining "the spirit and letter" of the constitution by preemptively assuming it will hold 180 seats in the next Parliament, the threshold required to advance certain constitutional amendments.
Mr. Mitsotakis urged strong participation from lawmakers in the upcoming plenary debate on the constitutional revision, calling it an opportunity to highlight the substantive work his party has put into the process, in contrast to what he described as a hypocritical stance from the rest of the opposition.