Greece’s agriculture minister tendered his resignation on Monday after being sharply reprimanded by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis over his nonchalant reaction to cynical and swaggering statements by the mayor of the city of Sparta during a meeting, where the latter claimed the then Karamanlis government in 2007 won a snap election by quickly doling out monetary damages for a string of deadly wildfires that devastated Ilia prefecture that summer.
Forty-nine people died as a result of the wildfires in that prefecture, in southwest Greece and in the northwest of the Peloponnese province, during the summer of 2007, with the then center-right government under Costas Karamanlis coming under intense criticism.
The exchange between now resigned minister Spilios Livanos and Sparta Mayor Petros Doukas, a long-time cadre of ruling New Democracy (ND) party and deputy FinMin in 2007, was broadcast live last Tuesday via Facebook by a local website in Laconia prefecture, where Sparta is the capital. The meeting focused on crop damages incurred this season by local farmers due to the snowfall and frost.
In the footage, Doukas is shown saying that “… as I remember, we (the government) had gone to Ilia because of the wildfires at the time; that’s how we won in 2007; we had gone down there with bags (of money) in order to pay damages … We essentially turned the game around. At a point and time when we were trailing (the main opposition party) by 15 (percentage points) and looking at a disaster, we went there and with two moves turned the entire game around.”
In a reaction that subsequently generated Mitsotakis’ ire and caused embarrasment for the current ND government, Livanos merely responded by saying “…This is something we must answer for; you’ve gone down in history because of what you did there (Ilia) … and we’re lacking by comparison, since then, to what you accomplished in that epic (development),” a reaction that generated laughter from those in attendance.
When the dialogue surfaced on Monday, Mitsotakis first contacted the minister, with his office subsequently releasing details regarding the furor and the latter’s resignation.
“His (Livanos) reaction should have been different, something he acknowledged by tendering his resignation,” were reportedly the words used by Mitsotakis.
στο Google News και μάθετε πρώτοι όλες τις ειδήσειςLatest News
PM Mitsotakis Discusses EU Defense, Security at North-South Summit
Hosted in Lapland, Finland, which shares a 1,300 km border with Russia, the summit brought together South and North European leaders to discuss security, defense, and migration
Surge in Investment and Soaring Housing Prices Across Greece
Greek housing prices have climbed sharply, recovering to 2011 levels and edging closer to their 2007 peak.
Greek Kiosks are Dying Out
The iconic Greek kiosk is dying out, and the empty shells remain to remind us of an urban everyday life that no longer exists.
Property Website: Athens-Area Residences Sold Within 6 Months, on Average
Data presented by the platform also shows higher prices in first 3 quarters of 2024
Bank of Greece Hails Economic Progress but Warns Stronger Growth Needed
Today's Bank of Greece Interim Report on Monetary Policy depicts a healthy economy, but warns that stronger growth is needed to fully overcome the economic crisis
Greek Christmas Dinner Costs Surges in 2024
The estimated cost for this year’s Christmas dinner (serving 6-8 people) ranges from 107.54 euros to 148.89 euros
Attica Bank to Eliminate Fees on More Banking Transactions
Attica Bank emphasized that these changes reflect its commitment to providing competitive and high-quality services
Cash Still Reigns in Greece Despite Surge in Electronic Payments
However, the ECB has expressed its opposition regarding legislative efforts by member states to restrict cash usage as a means of combating tax evasion.
Minister: Tourism Revenues in Greece to Hit €22 Billion in 2024
Sustainable development, investments, new offerings, upgraded training at the core of Greece's tourism strategy.
Greece: Double Salary Increase in Private Sector Coming Next Year
Starting from Jan. 1, 2025, social security contributions will be reduced by one percentage point with the aim of easing the burden on both employers and employees.
