Michalis Bekiris announced that he is temporarily stepping aside from his duties as director of the Prime Minister’s Office in Parliament until the case is clarified by the courts, after informing Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. In his statement, he says he has faced an “unprecedented campaign of personal targeting” for a month and stresses that his decision is entirely personal.
His statement reads:
“After many years of close cooperation with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, whom I thank from the bottom of my heart for his trust, friendship and the honour of being at his side, I informed him of my decision to step aside from my duties until the case is clarified by the courts.
It was not an easy decision. When you have devoted years of your life to a shared effort, stepping aside carries a particular emotional weight.
But there are times when personal dignity and the need to protect your family call for difficult decisions.
For a month now, I have been facing an unprecedented campaign of personal targeting. Lies, slander and insinuations are being used in an attempt to harm me and my family. The feeding frenzy, as in the case of my friend George Mylonakis, has once again gone beyond all bounds.
It is regrettable that political parties and figures are uncritically embracing what is being circulated, while at the same time seeking to harm the Prime Minister and the government.
I do not want my presence to be used as a pretext for continuing this confrontation.
My decision is entirely personal. It is neither a retreat nor an admission of any allegation. It is a conscious choice made out of dignity and a sense of responsibility.
It is my duty to protect my family’s honour and reputation and to safeguard my personal relationship with Kyriakos Mitsotakis, a relationship that goes beyond politics.
Human relationships and the paths we have travelled together over many years do not end when someone leaves a post.
I am temporarily stepping aside from my duties, but not from the principles, values and people with whom I have shared this journey over the years.
Of course, I will stand by Kyriakos Mitsotakis in the forthcoming elections.
The rest will be dealt with in court. That is where those who make and circulate allegations against me will be called on to prove them.”