In his letter, Bakoyannis says he is now returning to his academic duties, writing that he will continue to serve the public interest in every way, in the belief that the challenges facing spatial planning require constant self-criticism, transparency and accountability.

The news of the resignation comes as the urban planning corruption case is in the spotlight. According to reports, those arrested include relatives of Bakoyannis.

Asked about the resignation during a briefing for political editors, the government spokesman, Pavlos Marinakis, said all he knew were the personal reasons cited by Bakoyannis himself.

In his resignation letter, Bakoyannis wrote:

‘Honourable Minister,

With this letter I wish to submit my resignation from the position of secretary general of spatial planning and the urban environment at the Ministry of Environment and Energy, for personal reasons. Having completed an important chapter in my long service, I am now able to return to my academic duties. I will continue to serve the public interest in every way, in the conviction that the challenges facing spatial planning require constant self-criticism, transparency and accountability.

I am at your disposal for any procedure required to ensure a smoother transition for the incoming secretary general, and to ensure continuity in the work and obligations of the General Secretariat.

I would like to express my gratitude to the prime minister and the political leadership of the ministry for the support and the opportunity they gave me to serve the cause of spatial planning and urban development; to the colleagues in my office for their dedication, professionalism and belief that we can serve the public interest effectively; and to the ministry’s staff and all its services for their contribution and cooperation in carrying out the objectives and projects we had undertaken.

Best regards,

Efthimios Bakoyannis’

PASOK, meanwhile, has called on the government to explain the alleged involvement of Bakoyannis’s relatives in the case. ‘The government must immediately provide explanations for the case of the corruption ring in urban planning, where according to reports relatives of the secretary general of spatial planning and the urban environment, Efthimios Bakoyannis, are involved,’ the party said in a statement.

It added: ‘The resignation citing “personal reasons” and a “return to academic duties”, and the government spokesman’s reference to them in order to avoid the difficulty of answering, neither closes the issue nor will sweep it under the carpet.’

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