Greek Deputy Minister of Development resigns over university admission controversy

On the morning of Thursday, November 12, 2026, the office of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced the resignation of Deputy Minister of Development Lazaros Tsavdaridis. The decision follows public controversy surrounding the university admission process of the deputy minister's daughter, as explanations provided by Tsavdaridis were deemed insufficient by the government.

The scandal centers on claims that while the daughter was admitted to the Agricultural Department in Larissa based on her own exam grades, she also held rights to a 10% bonus quota due to athletic achievements in handball. This bonus would have allowed her admission to the Pedagogical Department of Rhodes. Although Tsavdaridis publicly maintained that his daughter entered university on her own merit, evidence surfaced that he had submitted an official application as her guardian to utilize the preferential quota. Government sources indicate that while no clear illegality was established, the handling of the matter and the subsequent public outcry necessitated his departure.

Following a conversation with the Prime Minister's aide, George Mylonakis, Tsavdaridis resigned while the Prime Minister was en route to Ireland. The government is expected to name a successor from the New Democracy party soon, though this resignation is reportedly not expected to trigger a broader cabinet reshuffle.