Anyone hoping for a calm summer in Greece just had their hopes dashed. A political storm is engulfing Athens, with four government officials already ousted amid a deepening scandal tied to the misuse of EU agricultural funds.

At the heart of the storm is OPEKEPE—the Payment and Control Agency for Guidance and Guarantee Community Aid. An explosive investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has uncovered what appears to be sweeping fraud in how EU subsidies were handled. Some experts warn the financial fallout could stretch into the hundreds of millions of euros.

The EPPO has handed over its finding, based in part on legally sanctioned surveillance, to the Greek Parliament. Lawmakers now face a critical decision: whether to lift the parliamentary immunity of more than a dozen politicians named in the case so formal charges can be brought.

Among those implicated are former agricultural development ministers Makis Voridis and Lefteris Avgenakis. Voridis, who had most recently served as migration minister, resigned on June 27, while firmly denying any wrongdoing. Three deputy ministers also stepped down.

This latest crisis couldn’t come at a worse time for Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Still reeling from the public backlash earlier this year over his administration’s handling of the Tempe train disaster, he now finds himself back on the defensive.

So what does this mean for the future of the Mitsotakis government, and for Greek politics as a whole? Could this be the spark that sets off snap elections?

To dig into the implications of Greece’s newest political convulsion, The Agora welcomed MacroPolis co-founder Yiannis Mouzakis and features editor Georgia Nakou for a deep dive into what may be a defining moment for the summer, and beyond.

Useful reading

The big fat Greek plot to defraud the EU – Politico

Prosecutor implicates two Greek ministers in huge EU farm fraud – Politico

EU funds way to get fickle farmers’ vote – Kathimerini

OPEKEPE: The scandal that keeps on giving – Kathimerini

OPEKEPE: The bowl with honey – Inside Story

The country that watched the goats go by – Inside Story

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As the world mulls the impact and consequences of the tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump on so-called "liberation day", Greece has a very specific concern.

The focus of the tariff-related debate in Greece was very much on the fate of feta, Greece's most popular cheese and one of its main agricultural exports to the US and many other parts of the world.

What is feta? Why does it hold such a special place in Greek culture? And, why is Greece so keen to protect this particular product?

To answer all these questions, we invited Thomas Ntinas to join us in The Agora. Thomas is our show's producer, but he joins us in his capacity as the host of The Delicious Legacy, which is an archaeogastronomical podcast that travels through time to discover recipes and traditions from the past, but also to examine the sociopolitical and economic aspects of food and gastronomy.

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Two years after Greece's deadliest rail disaster, the political fallout is escalating rather than abating.

The largest protests Greece has seen in decades were held on February 28 to mark the two-year anniversary of the crash, in which 57 people died when a passenger train collided with a freight train in Tempe, central Greece.

The growing public outcry over how the aftermath of the crash has been handled, as well as the shocking circumstances of the accident itself, has put Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his government under intense pressure.

Mitsotakis survived a confidence vote in parliament on March 7, but the Tempe issue is likely to haunt his government for the rest of its second term.

MacroPolis co-founder Yiannis Mouzakis and features editor Georgia Nakou joined The Agora to discuss the political implications of the latest developments.

Useful reading

Tempe Accident Investigation Report - EODASAAM

Two years later, outrage over Tempe disaster hits a tipping point - Kathimerini

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The return of Donald Trump to the White House seems to be causing a reordering of international relations, an end to many of the certainties we had in geopolitics.

This has left Europe facing a major re-think of its stance on security and defence issues. To discuss what changes are taking place and what it means for Europe, including Greece, Dr Jens Bastian joined us in The Agora.

Jens is a Senior Policy Adviser at the Hellenic Foundation of European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP). He is, among other things, an expert on EU-China relations, and has recently been working as a research fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin

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On the latest episode of The Agora we look at what the return of Donald Trump to the White House could mean for Greece.

Host Nick Malkoutzis speaks to Macropolis foreign policy analyst Alexandra Voudouri about the concerns and hopes Greek diplomats have concerning the Trump presidency and its impact on geopolitics.

Our second guest, Frank De Mita, who has worked on several US presidential campaigns, discusses some of the lessons mainstream parties in Greece can take from the Democrats' defeat in the US and the way that political communication is changing.

Useful reading

Post-election blamestorming or Why Harris lost and the Democrats should nominate Oprah - Frank De Mita

Who is Kimberly Guilfoyle, Trump's pick for US ambassador to Greece? - BBC News

What Will a Second Trump Presidency Mean For Greece? - To Vima

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Costas Simitis, who served as Greece's prime minister between 1996 and 2004, died at the age of 88 on January 5. He left behind a bountiful legacy, which included Greece's entry into the euro and a raft of infrastructure projects.

His record, though, is contested by some Greeks who feel that the seeds of future problems were sown during his period in office.

On this episode of The Agora, host Nick Malkoutzis discusses Simitis's contribution and record with Kathimerini columnist Nikos Konstandaras.

Useful links

Costas Simitis, former Greek prime minister and socialist leader, dies at 88 - Associated Press

Costas Simitis and the measure of things - Kathimerini

‘This is Greece!,’ Costas Simitis’ rallying cry - Kathimerini

Greece Recalls Former PM Simitis as Architect of Country’s Modernisation - BIRN

Imia, behind the scenes - Kathimerini

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Greek Parliament is about to vote on the 2025 budget, so The Agora is looking at what the government's economic plan entails, while also examining the bigger picture as far as the country's economy is concerned.

MacroPolis co-founder Yiannis Mouzakis joins us to explain why there has been so much attention on the revenue side of the budget. He also identifies where the key strengths and weaknesses of the Greek economy lie as we prepare for a year that seems full of uncertainty.

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SYRIZA, the leftist party that experienced a stunning rise to power from the fringes of Greek politics, has elected a new leader but will it be enough to rescue it from its slide back to the sidelines?

Its former leader, nascent politician Stefanos Kasselakis, has hit back by launching his own party, Movement for Democracy. Will he have any impact or is it all show?

These are some of the questions host Nick Malkoutzis attempts to answer with the help of MacroPolis co-founder Yiannis Mouzakis and features editor Georgia Nakou.

Useful reading

Greece’s wounded left elects new chief - Euractiv

Assessing Greece’s new political landscape - Ekathimerini

Greek politics goes from stability to state of flux - MacroPolis

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In mid-November, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis decided to expel from the ruling New Democracy party one of his predecessors, Antonis Samaras.

Samaras headed the centre-right party for several years and was the leader of a coalition government between 2012 and 2015, which means his dismissal was big news in Greece.

So, why did Mitsotakis make this dramatic move and what it could mean not only for unity within New Democracy, but also for the stability of the Greek government?

MacroPolis co-founder Yiannis Mouzakis and features editor Georgia Nakou joined Nick Malkoutzis to discuss all the permutations.

Useful reading

Former Greek premier Samaras is expelled from the ruling conservative party - Associated Press

Turkey rapprochement sparks rift in Greece’s ruling party - Politico

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Nikos Androulakis has been re-elected as leader of PASOK, the centre-left party that is hoping to establish itself as the main opposition party in Greece and, ultimately, challenge centre-right New Democracy for power.

Given that Androulakis cruised to his victory, was there any point to this leadership contest? Also, where does it leave PASOK as it seeks to take advantage of turmoil at leftist SYRIZA and build some momentum as the social democrats seek to close the gap on Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis?

MacroPolis co-founder Yiannis Mouzakis and features editor Georgia Nakou join host Nick Malkoutzis to work out what has happened and what might happen.

Useful reading

Androulakis Wins Second Chance to Revive Greece’s Centre-Left Party - Balkan Insight 

Androulakis’ last chance - Kathimerini

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