Resignation signals gov’t reset effort

The authorities is seeking to adjacent a turbulent section pursuing the resignation connected Saturday of Deputy Agriculture Minister Makarios Lazaridis.

Officials judged that the governmental fallout from Lazaridis’ 2007 irregular assignment arsenic a technological advisor – contempt lacking required qualifications – was compounding the harm from the ongoing OPEKEPE workplace subsidy case, peculiarly owed to his handling of the controversy. Senior lawmaker Dora Bakoyannis had urged him to resign, saying his continued beingness burdened some himself and the government.

In his statement, Lazaridis said helium had “fended disconnected attacks with arguments and governmental dignity” implicit an contented dating backmost astir 20 years. The resignation comes amid heightened governmental tensions and an inconclusive parliamentary statement tied to the still-evolving OPEKEPE case. Government officials are reassessing strategy arsenic polling indicates a increasing stock – estimated astatine 65 to 70% – firmly opposed to the administration, with constricted prospects for outreach. With elections approaching within a year, the ruling New Democracy enactment is progressively reliant connected its halfway base. To forestall interior fractures, the authorities has opted to “freeze” enactment connected lawmakers implicated successful the case, backing them while awaiting findings from the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has sought a balanced stance toward European prosecutors, defending organization respect while criticizing aspects of the case’s handling. He besides pledged authorities to accelerate judicial reviews involving lawmakers.