Greek Parliament Votes 288-9 to Strip Immunity From 13 Ruling Party Lawmakers in Farm Subsidy Probe

The Greek Parliament has voted to assistance the parliamentary immunity of 13 New Democracy lawmakers, clearing the way for imaginable transgression proceedings successful the widening OPEKEPE cultivation subsidy scandal.

Of the 297 eligible members, 288 participated successful the vote. Nine were absent, including erstwhile Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and New Democracy lawmaker Notis Mitarakis, who near the enclosure instantly aft addressing parliament. Absences were besides recorded among members of the absorption Syriz enactment and autarkic ranks.

Aikaterini Papakosta received the highest ballot successful favour of immunity removal, with 287 votes. Ten different lawmakers each received 286 affirmative votes. Kostas Tsiaras and Charalambos Athanasiou each received 285 votes successful favor.

The 2 accordant dissenting votes crossed astir each 13 cases came from autarkic lawmaker Konstantinos Floros and Mrs. Papakosta herself — who voted to assistance her ain immunity but formed a ballot against removing the extortion of her 12 colleagues.

Mr. Athanasiou recorded a ceremonial "present" ballot connected his ain case, portion Mr. Tsiaras chose to abstain from the ballot concerning his ain immunity.

The lopsided effect reflects a cross-party statement that the lawmakers should look judicial scrutiny, and follows weeks of governmental turbulence triggered by the OPEKEPE case, successful which allegations of improper interference successful EU cultivation subsidy payments implicated aggregate ruling enactment figures. All 13 had antecedently stated publically they welcomed the lifting of their immunity and would cooperate afloat with investigators.

The lawsuit present moves to prosecutors, who volition find whether ceremonial charges are warranted.