Makarios Lazaridis has resigned from his post as Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food, following days of mounting political pressure over the controversy surrounding his academic degree.

In a written statement released Saturday, the lawmaker from Kavala said he was stepping down to protect the government’s work from further disruption, while defending his personal and political integrity.

His resignation came just hours after Dora Bakoyannis publicly urged him to quit, saying the degree issue did not follow proper procedures and had become a burden for the ruling party.

Resignation to “protect government work”

Lazaridis framed his decision as a move to prevent the controversy from overshadowing the government’s agenda and the work of the Rural Development Ministry.

Citing sustained criticism from the opposition, he accused political rivals of engaging in a “toxic” campaign, using “mud-slinging and slander” over an issue dating back nearly 20 years.

Despite rejecting the accusations, he said he chose to step aside so as not to hinder the government.

Defense of personal record

In his statement, Lazaridis emphasized that he had conducted both his personal life and political career with “honesty” and “dignity,” insisting he would not allow anyone to tarnish his reputation.

He pointed to his long-standing affiliation with the ruling New Democracy party and his electoral support in Kavala, where he has been elected twice as a member of parliament.

He also highlighted his decision to publicly disclose his financial statements (“pothen esches”) as early as 2019, presenting it as evidence of his commitment to transparency.

Pressure had been building

The resignation follows a week of intensifying scrutiny over Lazaridis’ academic credentials, which reignited political tensions and drew criticism from both the opposition and within the ruling party.

Bakoyannis, speaking earlier on Saturday, described the handling of the degree issue as flawed and said Lazaridis should “facilitate the prime minister and the party” by stepping down — a call that now appears to have been heeded.

Government seeks to contain fallout

Lazaridis thanked Kyriakos Mitsotakis for his trust, as well as his colleagues for their support, signaling an effort to close ranks after the episode.

While insisting that his resignation does not reflect any retreat from his political principles, the move underscores the sensitivity of the issue for the government at a time of heightened political tension.

The focus now shifts to how quickly the administration can move past the controversy and contain its broader political impact.