Efthimios Bakoyannis, secretary-general for spatial planning and urban environment at Greece’s Ministry of Environment and Energy, has formally submitted his resignation, citing personal reasons and what he described as the conclusion of a significant, multi-year chapter in the role.
In an official letter addressed to Minister Stavros Papastavrou, Bakoyannis said he was stepping down to return to his academic duties. In what reads as a pointed message, especially at a time when the ministry is weighing new spatial planning frameworks covering tourism, renewable energy and different industries, he wrote that “the challenges facing spatial planning require constant self-criticism, transparency and accountability,” while pledging to continue serving the public interest in other capacities.
The resignation comes days after a sweeping anti-corruption operation targeting urban planning offices across the Attica region. The internal affairs unit of the Hellenic Police arrested six people on Friday following a months-long investigation into a structured criminal network allegedly operating within municipal planning offices in the northern Athens suburbs of Maroussi, Galatsi and Kifissia. Five of those arrested were civil servants; one was a private individual.
According to reports in several Greek media outlets, two of the six people arrested are connected to Bakoyannis. His brother-in-law, described in reports as a technical adviser at the Decentralized Administration of Attica, is among those detained. His brother-in-law’s wife, who reportedly serves as secretary-general of the municipality of Galatsi, was also arrested.
Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis, responding to a question from political reporters, declined to elaborate on the circumstances surrounding the departure. “Mr. Bakoyannis’ resignation was for the reasons stated in his letter, and I have nothing further to add,” he said.
In his letter, Bakoyannis expressed warm thanks to the Greek prime minister and to the political leadership of the Ministry of Environment and Energy for their support and for the opportunity to oversee the portfolios of spatial planning and urban development. He made particular mention of his close associates and the ministry’s permanent staff, praising their professionalism, dedication and effectiveness as factors that had enabled the delivery of demanding objectives during his tenure.
He also confirmed his availability for all necessary handover procedures to ensure a smooth transition ahead of the appointment of his successor.
