Greek Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food Makarios Lazaridis resigned on April 19, 2026, following allegations that he secured public sector roles using a diploma from an unaccredited private college. The controversy, which centers on claims that Lazaridis lacked the required university degree for his positions, has intensified scrutiny of the government’s transparency.
Lazaridis, appointed earlier this month during a cabinet reshuffle, denied wrongdoing in his resignation statement, calling the allegations "politically motivated" and part of a smear campaign by opposition parties. His departure comes amid an ongoing probe into irregularities in EU agricultural subsidy allocations, which has already led to multiple officials being replaced since 2025.
Opposition groups have recently amplified demands for early elections, criticizing the administration’s accountability measures. The current government’s term is scheduled to end in June 2027.
