Who and When Will Pay the €415 Million Fine Against OPEKEPE?

The question of who and when will pay the €415 million fine against OPEKEPE has been a significant topic of discussion. According to recent developments, this administrative penalty stems from poor implementation of EU rules regarding subsidy distribution, not fraud by producers, which is being investigated separately by Justice authorities. The final amount could be returned to Brussels via agreed methods (lump sum or installments) once all assessments are made. Additionally, these penalties may not always come from the state budget but could potentially be distributed among eligible farmers through withholdings from future subsidies. Meanwhile, small service businesses in Athens are sounding distress signals as they face increased pressure. The National Bank of Greece’s latest report highlights that smaller enterprises in the service sector are particularly affected, with confidence indicators showing declines. Furthermore, discussions continue about changes in tax systems, emphasizing the need for a simpler and more stable framework with lower rates for households and businesses alongside expanding the tax base. In the energy sector, ADMIE stresses the necessity of regulatory approval for project revenues to secure funding for the Great Sea Interconnector with Cyprus, while progress moves forward on the Maurovouni-Edessa road PPP project.