<h3>Overview</h3> <p>On <strong>3 अप्रैल 2026</strong>, three senior Greek ministers stepped down as the <span class="key-term" data-definition="European Public Prosecutor’s Office – EU body that investigates and prosecutes crimes affecting the EU’s financial interests, especially fraud involving EU funds (GS2: Polity)">European Public Prosecutor’s Office</span> (EPPO) intensified a probe into alleged misuse of <span class="key-term" data-definition="EU farm subsidy scheme – the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) that provides financial support to farmers across the European Union; misuse of these funds is a serious breach of EU law (GS3: Economy)">EU farm subsidies</span>. The resignations are intended to remove any perceived political interference and facilitate a transparent investigation.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li><strong>Resignations:</strong> <span class="key-term" data-definition="Agriculture Minister – senior cabinet member responsible for agricultural policy, food security and rural development (GS2: Polity)">Agriculture Minister Kostas Tsiaras</span>, <span class="key-term" data-definition="Civil Protection Minister – cabinet minister overseeing disaster management and emergency response (GS2: Polity)">Civil Protection Minister Yiannis Kefalogiannis</span> and Deputy Health Minister <span class="key-term" data-definition="Deputy Health Minister – junior minister assisting the Health Minister in policy implementation (GS2: Polity)">Dimitris Vartzopoulos</span> resigned.</li> <li><strong>EPPO Action:</strong> The office is seeking <span class="key-term" data-definition="Immunity waiver – a legal provision that lifts parliamentary or ministerial immunity, allowing prosecution for alleged crimes (GS2: Polity)">immunity waivers</span> for 11 lawmakers linked to the case.</li> <li><strong>Cabinet Shuffle:</strong> Former European Commission Vice‑President <strong>Margaritis Schinas</strong> was appointed as the new <span class="key-term" data-definition="Agriculture Minister – senior cabinet member responsible for agricultural policy, food security and rural development (GS2: Polity)">Agriculture Minister</span>.</li> <li><strong>Investigation Lead:</strong> The probe is headed by <span class="key-term" data-definition="Laura Codruta Kovesi – European chief prosecutor who leads EPPO investigations into cross‑border fraud affecting EU finances (GS2: Polity)">European chief prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi</span>, who visited Athens last year for talks.</li> <li><strong>Sector Impact:</strong> Greek farmers have staged tractor protests in Athens and central Greece, demanding timely subsidy payments.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>The alleged fraud centres on a Greek state agency that allegedly allowed false claims for land and livestock, diverting EU funds meant for the <span class="key-term" data-definition="EU farm subsidy scheme – the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) that provides financial support to farmers across the Eu