Greek deputy agriculture minister quits in qualifications row

Greek Deputy Agriculture and Food Minister Makarios Lazaridis resigned on Saturday, following accusations that he was unqualified and had only been nominated because of close connections to the ruling conservatives.

Lazaridis stepped down just two weeks after he was appointed in a cabinet reshuffle triggered by an investigation into alleged embezzlement of European agricultural subsidies, which has caused a major row.

In his letter to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who is also from the New Democracy (ND) party,  Lazaridis said he had “led a life of honesty” and “dignity” which he did not want tarnished.

He added he had “repelled, with reasoned arguments and political dignity, the attacks of a toxic opposition which relies on muckraking and slander over a matter that, moreover, dates back some 20 years.”