Statement of resignation of Makarios Lazaridis
«Throughout my personal life I have walked with integrity and lived my family with dignity, which I will not let anyone tarnish.
With the same values I have stood in politics, always with my head held high. I have fought in and out of parliament, with New Democracy, with a firm commitment to the principles and values I serve.
The citizens of Kavala honoured me with their trust and elected me twice as a Member of Parliament in my hometown, which is a great honour and responsibility for me.
I am proud of the battles I fought alongside Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis both during the difficult years of the opposition and during the country's governance.
I served with consistency and a sense of duty, contributing, to the best of my ability, to the effort for a strong and modern Greece.
From the very first moment of my public presence I chose transparency. I made my “behind the scenes” public during the 2019 election, without being obliged to do so, proving in practice that I have never been afraid of scrutiny, but on the contrary, I have sought it.
All this time, I have fended off with arguments and political dignity the attacks of a toxic opposition, which, faltering, is looking for a way to save itself electorally, investing in mud and slander on an issue that happened almost 20 years ago.
However, in view of the need to safeguard the work of the Government and the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, I am submitting my resignation as Deputy Minister.
This decision does not in the least negate my faith in the principles I have served and will continue to serve.
I thank the Prime Minister from the bottom of my heart for his trust and all those who have stood by my side throughout this journey.».
