Greek PM reshuffles cabinet as EU aid farm fraud probe widens

ATHENS, April 3 (Reuters) - Greek Prime ​Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reshuffled his cabinet on Friday, as he seeks to limit ‌the fallout from a growing scandal over alleged fraud related to European Union farm funds.

Last year European prosecutors dozens of Greek stockbreeders with faking ownership of pastureland to claim millions of euros in EU subsidies, allegedly ​with the help of state employees and conservative politicians.

The affair had already prompted ministerial ​resignations and led the European Union last year to impose a hefty fine ⁠on the country over mismanagement of the subsidies by its OPEKEPE payment agency.

But in a ​move that widened the investigation, the European Chief Prosecutor on Wednesday asked the Greek parliament to lift ​the immunity of at least 11 lawmakers, including ministers, so they can be investigated over their alleged roles in the scheme.

The EU prosecutor has not named the lawmakers and ministers, who are protected from prosecution by ​the constitution unless parliament lifts their immunity. A minister and four senior officials in the government ​resigned last year for their alleged role in the fraud.

On Friday, Mitsotakis appointed Margaritis Schinas, a former European ‌Commission ⁠vice-president for Promoting the European Way of Life, as agriculture minister.