Reshuffle: “Technocrat” Schinas enters the OPEKEPE arena – All the names

The prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, proceeded with a mini cabinet reshuffle, removing the Minister of Rural Development Kostas Tsiaras, the Minister of Civil Protection Giannis Kefalogiannis, and the Deputy Minister of Health Dimitris Vartzopoulos, as their names are included in the second OPEKEPE case file.

For the challenging Rural Development portfolio, an extra-parliamentary, technocratic solution was selected, appointing former European Commissioner Margaritis Schinas as the new minister. This move was also seen as a way for the Prime Minister’s office to avoid any potential revelations that the new minister might have had contact with OPEKEPE.

Government officials said that Mitsotakis implemented a broader leadership change at the Ministry of Rural Development and Food. According to them, this confirms his strategic choice to transform the ministry—from one focused for decades on subsidies and compensation—into a modern structure aligned with ongoing reforms and the proper use of European funds.

They also noted that, as the prime minister recently stated, the reconstruction of the primary sector is among the top three priorities for New Democracy’s third term. In this context, the portfolio is being entrusted not to an MP from the regions but to a former Vice-President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas.

At the Ministry of Civil Protection, Kefalogiannis will be replaced by former Air Force chief and ex-deputy minister Evangelos Tourna. Government sources stressed that Tourna has deep operational expertise and played a key role in upgrading Civil Protection capabilities in recent years.

To avoid criticism over unequal treatment of ministers implicated in the case—unlike the first OPEKEPE file in June 2025—Christos Kellas, who had avoided consequences then, is now leaving the government. He will be replaced as Deputy Minister of Rural Development by current parliamentary spokesperson of New Democracy, Makarios Lazaridis.

No replacement will be appointed for Deputy Health Minister Dimitris Vartzopoulos; instead, responsibilities for mental health will be transferred to Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis.

Government officials clarified that “we are not talking about resignations but changes in the government,” aiming to show that it was Mitsotakis who removed the ministers whose names appear in the case file.

The prime minister chose not to proceed with a broader reshuffle at this stage, even though one was already being planned. The issue, however, is that appointing new MPs to government roles now could risk including individuals whose names might later appear in future case files submitted to parliament.

The difficult decision on Tsiaras and what lies ahead for MPs

According to reports, the decision regarding Tsiaras was particularly difficult, as he is only mentioned in the case file by an associate in relation to a flooded field following storm Daniel. Nevertheless, the prime minister opted to replace him for political reasons, given his ministerial responsibility.

As for whether MPs under investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office will be included again on New Democracy’s electoral lists, government officials said it is too early to say, noting that elections are still a year away.

Regarding requests to lift parliamentary immunity, officials recalled that New Democracy’s principle is to approve such requests. They added that in 2019, as part of constitutional reform, Article 62 was amended to make lifting MPs’ immunity mandatory, except in cases related to parliamentary duties.

They noted that while in 2015–2019 only 32 out of 61 requests were approved, in the 2019–2025 period this trend reversed, with 97 requests approved and only 35 rejected.

It is expected that Deputy Speaker of Parliament Giorgos Georgantas will send invitations by tonight for the Ethics Committee meeting on Holy Tuesday. The committee will examine the cases of 11 MPs mentioned in the OPEKEPE file, while a different procedure applies to two former ministers (Spilios Livanos and Fotini Arabatzi) under Article 86 of the Constitution (law on ministerial responsibility). After the meeting, copies of the case file will be distributed to the involved MPs and political parties.

Reshuffle pending within New Democracy party

According to reports, Kostas Skrekas has submitted his resignation as Secretary of the party’s Political Committee to the prime minister and party leader.

“Mr. Skrekas was the first to resign, which was appreciated by the prime minister, along with the results of his work,” government officials said.

Until the party congress—where a new secretary will be elected—the duties will be carried out by the party’s organizational secretary, Stelios Kontadakis.

Notis Mitarakis has also resigned from his position as parliamentary representative of New Democracy. New parliamentary representatives (following the appointment of Makarios Lazaridis) will be announced on Monday.