Mitsotakis Aide Michalis Bekiris Steps Aside, Vows Court Fight

Michalis Bekiris has temporarily stepped aside as director of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ office in Parliament, after days of controversy over his studies and his status in the role.

Bekiris told Mitsotakis of his decision on Monday. He will stay away from his duties until the courts clarify the case, he said.

Before his decision, opposition parties, including PASOK, had demanded his removal from the post. The dispute centred on his studies and the status under which he carries out his duties.

In response, the Mitsotakis aide rejected the claims. “For a month now, I have been facing an unprecedented campaign of personal targeting,” he said.

Read more: Tsipras: Mitsotakis Is the Opponent, Governance Is the Goal as ELAS Builds Its Organization

Michalis Bekiris rejects accusations

Specifically, Michalis Bekiris said “lies, slanders and innuendo” are aimed at hurting him and his family. His decision is “exclusively personal”, he added.

“It is neither a retreat nor an acceptance of any accusation,” he said. He described it as “a conscious choice of dignity and responsibility”.

Above all, he does not want his presence used as a pretext for continuing the confrontation. He also accused parties and political figures of uncritically adopting what is circulating, while trying to hurt the government.

Bekiris compared his case with that of his friend Giorgos Mylonakis. Once again, the “feeding frenzy” has gone beyond every limit, he said.

Earlier, he had said he works voluntarily in the Prime Minister’s political offices and receives no salary.

Elections and court action

Still, Michalis Bekiris thanked Mitsotakis for his trust and friendship after many years of close cooperation. Their relationship goes beyond politics, he said.

“I am temporarily stepping aside from my duties, but not from the principles, the values and the people with whom I have travelled all these years,” he said. He also pledged to stand by Mitsotakis at the upcoming elections.

Bekiris is a former New Democracy MP for Achaia, first elected in 2004. Later, he served as deputy transport minister from January 2009 until the end of the Karamanlis government.

He took over the Parliament office in July 2019, soon after Mitsotakis became Prime Minister.

Finally, Michalis Bekiris pointed to the courts. “The rest we will say in the courts,” he said. There, those who make and spread claims against him “will be called on to prove them”.

Source: Kathimerini

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