Replaying a maneuver helium had already utilized erstwhile the archetypal OPEKEPE dossier shook the government, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis responded swiftly to the 2nd and 3rd lawsuit files implicating ministers and lawman ministers.
Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, who had already foreshadowed the premier minister’s moves by describing the European Public Prosecutor’s dossier arsenic a “serious development,” announced astatine noon a targeted reshuffle carrying 3 wide governmental messages:
Immediate governmental reflexes
First, Kyriakos Mitsotakis demonstrated accelerated reflexes. Without waiting for a case-by-case appraisal of the engagement of the governmental figures named successful the file, helium proceeded with their replacement. As a result, Yannis Kefalogiannis, Kostas Tsiaras and Dimitris Vartzopoulos were removed from authorities positions.
Controlled reshuffle – nary electoral surprise
Second, the prime of replacements signaled continuity alternatively than disruption, indicating that nary aboriginal electoral script is being considered. According to the authorities spokesman:
- Margaritis Schinas assumes the Ministry of Rural Development, replacing Kostas Tsiaras
- Makarios Lazaridis becomes Deputy Minister of Rural Development, replacing Christos Kellas
- Evangelos Tournas takes implicit the Ministry of Civil Protection, replacing Yannis Kefalogiannis
Schinas, a erstwhile Vice-President of the European Commission, brings some governmental value and method expertise, portion besides projecting a stronger “European profile” astatine a clip erstwhile the modulation from OPEKEPE to AADE is underway.
Tournas is profoundly acquainted with Civil Protection, having served successful the aforesaid ministry betwixt 2021 and 2023, including arsenic acting minister.
Lazaridis’ assignment reflects the utilization of an progressive parliamentary fig wrong the ruling party.
Attempted governmental reset
Third, authorities sources estimation that the contiguous effect to the OPEKEPE lawsuit whitethorn relation arsenic a signifier of governmental reset, aiming to reposition the authorities up of the last agelong toward the outpouring 2027 elections.
At the aforesaid time, authorities officials accent that “not each cases are the same.” They picture the process of lifting parliamentary immunity for definite MPs—such arsenic Kostas Tsiaras, Notis Mitarakis, Dimitris Vartzopoulos and Lakis Vassiliadis—as mostly procedural, arguing that nary guilt has been established. Notably, sources assertion that “had Tsiaras held a antithetic portfolio, helium mightiness not person been removed.”
Background
Within hours of the lawsuit record becoming public, discussions astir authorities changes intensified. Mitsotakis had already followed a akin attack successful June 2025, erstwhile the archetypal OPEKEPE dossier led to the resignation of Migration Minister Makis Voridis and 3 lawman ministers.
This time, however, the concern proved much politically sensitive. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office requested the lifting of immunity for 11 MPs, ministers and lawman ministers, creating disposable discomfort wrong the government.
Those named include:
- Maximos Senetakis
- Lakis Vassiliadis
- Notis Mitarakis
- Katerina Papakosta
- Kostas Karamanlis
- Christos Boukoros
- Theophilos Leontaridis
- Kostas Skrekas
- Yannis Kefalogiannis
- Kostas Tsiaras
- Dimitris Vartzopoulos
A 2nd record was transmitted nether Article 86 of the Constitution (law connected ministerial responsibility), concerning Spilios Livanos and Fotini Arampatzi for actions during their tenure astatine the Ministry of Rural Development.
Initially, Pavlos Marinakis stated that each lawsuit would beryllium assessed individually. However, authorities considerations rapidly shifted toward harm control: allowing implicated officials to stay successful bureau risked prolonging governmental pressure. The chosen solution was their removal, enabling the probe to proceed without organization entanglement.
Key idiosyncratic cases
Kostas Tsiaras
Tsiaras’ lawsuit reportedly posed the astir hard decision. Government sources suggest his engagement is not legally significant, arsenic helium allegedly acted done an subordinate seeking a lawful administrative solution aboriginal confirmed by audit. Nevertheless, the governmental value of the lawsuit led to his replacement, underscoring the accent connected governmental responsibility.
Yannis Kefalogiannis
The record reportedly does not see nonstop connection by Kefalogiannis, but alternatively exchanges involving a erstwhile subordinate who sought favors related to subsidy cases. Kefalogiannis had already removed this subordinate from his office.
Dimitris Vartzopoulos
Vartzopoulos is said to person contacted an OPEKEPE authoritative regarding a constituent’s case, asking informally whether it could beryllium handled—an enactment present nether scrutiny.
Kostas Skrekas
Skrekas resigned arsenic enactment caput aft being named successful the file. Reports notation to nonstop connection with OPEKEPE officials successful 2021, including requests to bypass ceremonial procedures—allegations that elevate the governmental seriousness of his case.
Notis Mitarakis
Mitarakis resigned arsenic Parliamentary Representative of New Democracy. According to disposable information, helium does not look straight progressive successful recorded conversations, with references alternatively pointing to regular forwarding of requests from his office.
Additional developments
Stelios Kontadakis is expected to regenerate Kostas Skrekas arsenic enactment caput connected an interim ground until the adjacent enactment congress.
The swearing-in of the caller authorities members is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, astatine the Presidential Palace, successful the beingness of the President of the Republic.
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