Another development in the Greek political scene casts a shadow over the conservative New Democracy government in Greece. Just days after being appointed Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture, Makarios Lazaridis resigned under intense political and public pressure. This followed revelations that he had previously held state positions requiring a university degree, while he possessed only a certificate of studies from a private college, not recognized as a university diploma.
The scandal escalated when the opposition and media uncovered that Lazaridis had been appointed as a "special scientist" at the Ministry of Education as early as 2007 and later to other public posts, despite the law requiring a university degree, master's, or doctorate.
Lazaridis himself admitted that his diploma was not recognized by the Greek system of equivalence but insisted that his appointment was made by the administration at the time and that he had submitted all requested documents. In recent days, he attempted to publicly defend himself, showing a certificate of studies from "The College of Southeastern Europe" on television and claiming that in 2007, even individuals without a university degree could be hired as political appointees.
However, this argument failed to convince both public opinion and many figures within New Democracy itself. Pressure intensified further after Dora Bakoyannis, the sister of Prime Minister Mitsotakis and a conservative right-wing MP, publicly stated on Saturday morning that he should step down to ease the burden on the government and the prime minister. Just a few hours later, his resignation followed.
In his resignation letter, Lazaridis stated he was stepping aside to avoid hindering the work of the government and the ministry, referring to a "toxic attack" from the opposition and insisting he had always acted with integrity.
But the opposition interpreted his departure as another blow to the Mitsotakis government's image. PASOK socialists spoke of the prime minister's "personal favor," while the left-wing SYRIZA said the resignation came only due to public outrage and not from the government's political reflection.
Meanwhile, Greek media have brought forward other details weighing on the political climate. It was revealed that after Lazaridis left an advisory post at the General Secretariat for Gender Equality in 2013, his wife took his place. Her name later appeared on the lists of the company Blue Skies, linked to close associates of New Democracy and the party's communication structures. These developments have further fueled accusations of nepotism and clientelism within government ranks.
Lazaridis's resignation comes at a particularly difficult time for the Mitsotakis government, which has been under pressure for weeks over the management of EU agricultural subsidies by the state agency OPEKEPE.
For the opposition, the Lazaridis case is another example that directly undermines the narrative of meritocracy and the modern state promised by New Democracy. For the government, it is another crisis reopening the debate on how people are selected and appointed to important public positions.