Greek MEP Yannis Maniatis (S&D) has raised concerns about the Hellenic Post Office (ELTA) in a written parliamentary question on 20 June 2026, pressing the European Commission on whether the operator's deteriorating services violate EU law and whether the over EUR 300 million in public compensation over the past decade has been effectively monitored.
The question, addressed to the Commission, cites press reports of severe delays in mail and utility bill delivery, branch closures, network shrinkage, and staff shortages, with administrative employees allegedly asked to help distribute parcels. Maniatis frames the issue as a matter of territorial and social cohesion, especially for remote and island regions.
whether the Commission has assessed ELTA's compliance with Directive 2008/6/EC on the internal market for postal services; whether it monitors the effectiveness of the aid granted for universal service provision; and whether it will examine if service shortcomings affect citizens' right to equal access to essential services.
The question signals a push for EU-level scrutiny of a national postal operator that has received substantial public funding. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks, and its answer will indicate whether it views the situation as a national implementation issue or a potential breach of EU postal law.
Greek citizens and businesses in remote areas face reduced access to essential postal services; ELTA may face increased regulatory pressure or funding conditions; the Commission could be drawn into a more active monitoring role; and other EU member states with struggling postal operators may watch the case as a precedent.