Shipping and Island Policy Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis on Monday submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in the wake of the tragic incidents at Pireaus port which resulted in the death of 36-year-old Antonis Karyiotis.
Specifically, as Varvitsiotis announced on social media: “The murder of Antonis Karyiotis by members of the Blue Horizon ferry’s crew has shocked us all. Nobody can believe that Greek seamen, violating the age-old rules for the protection of human life at sea, first pushed and then abandoned a young man in the murky waters of Piraeus port. I spoke with Antonis’ family and expressed my support for their pain. I promised them that Antonis will not be forgotten and I will do everything possible to honour his memory…In the last days I became the target of an attack that is becoming increasingly toxic. A statement I made that was easily misinterpreted caused outrage. I immediately apologised sincerely. At no time did I equate the victim with the perpetrators…
I serve the public with principles and values. I have learned to accept my responsibilities and not hide from difficulties. For some I may be a good politician and for others a bad one but I will not accept being attacked as a human being. My political course and my personal dignity demand that I do not remain Shipping and Island Policy Minister and for this reason I submitted my resignation to the prime minister, whom I thank for his trust.
Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis on Monday announced that state deputy Christos Stylianides is to take over the Shipping and Island Policy Ministry, following the resignation of Miltiades Varvitsiotis, based on a decision by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
SOURCE; ANA-MPA
