In a statement with clear criticism about the stance that should be maintained, Dora Bakoyannis commented on the case that has emerged concerning newly appointed Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food Makarios Lazaridis and his educational qualifications.
Speaking on MEGA television during the show hosted by Stella Gantona and Dinos Siomopoulos, Dora Bakoyannis characteristically stated that “Makarios Lazaridis should facilitate the prime minister and his party.”
The explanations given by Makarios Lazaridis
On Thursday (16/4/2026), through a public statement, Makarios Lazaridis attempted to answer the questions that have arisen regarding his degree and his hiring as a scientific collaborator. The Deputy Minister of Rural Development initially apologized for the tone of his previous interventions and proceeded to clarify the process through which he had been hired in the past as a collaborator in the Ministry of Education. As he stated, his placement as a special advisor -a position requiring a degree- instead of as a special collaborator -where no such prerequisite existed- was due to an error by the ministry’s services. To strengthen his claim, he pointed out that in subsequent work at the Ministry of Administrative Reform, he was classified in the DE category, “since the services, with current Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis as minister, did their job correctly.”
At the same time, in order to ensure there are no shadows as he said, he declared his intention to return the salary difference between the two positions (special advisor and special collaborator) for the period he worked at the ministry.
Pressure from PASOK for dismissal
From PASOK’s side, the Lazaridis case is interpreted as an admission of illegal hiring in the public sector, with the party exerting intense pressure on the government. Party officials argue that despite these facts, the prime minister continues to keep him in his position. In this context, PASOK is expected to insist on the demand for the dismissal of the Deputy Minister of Rural Development, bringing the issue to the forefront at every political opportunity.
