Twenty-eight MEPs from The Left, S&D, Greens/EFA, and one non-attached member have submitted a written parliamentary question to the European Commission, alleging that EU regional and social funds are being misused in the redevelopment of the Prosfygika district in Athens, violating the partnership principle and fundamental rights. The MEPs, led by Konstantinos Arvanitis (The Left), argue that the Attica Region's decision to redevelop the area using National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) funds, with ERDF/ESF+ resources allocated by the Commission, falsely classifies the inhabited complex as 'vacant', circumventing Article 8 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 on partnership and multi-level governance.
The question, dated 12 June 2026, highlights that Prosfygika is home to 400 people, including 50 minors and vulnerable groups, and that EU social inclusion funds are being used to dismantle an existing social housing model through forced evictions, triggering protests, an international solidarity network, and two hunger strikes—one exceeding 120 days. The MEPs ask three specific questions: whether the Commission was informed that the complex is inhabited and considers the 'vacant' classification a violation of Article 8; whether it will suspend reimbursement under Article 15(6) until Greece complies with enabling condition 4.4 (national social housing framework) and guarantees civil society participation; and what steps it will take to avoid displacement, fundamental rights violations, and further risks to hunger strikers. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks, and its answer will signal its stance on the use of EU funds in this case and the protection of fundamental rights in EU-funded projects.