Rapid developments are taking place at the Ministry of Environment and Energy, just a few days after the major loss of former Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, Nikos Tagaras, as the Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, accepted the resignation of the Secretary-General for Spatial Planning and Urban Environment, Efthymios Bakogiannis.

In his resignation letter, Mr. Bakogiannis cites personal reasons, noting that an important cycle of his many years of service at the ministry has been completed and that he is now returning to his academic duties. At the same time, he states that he is available to contribute to a smooth transition and to ensure continuity in the work of the General Secretariat.

However, according to reports, his resignation comes at a particularly critical moment, as in recent days the revelation of a corruption ring in urban planning departments has been in the spotlight, for which six arrests have been made following raids by the “internal affairs” division of the Hellenic Police.

According to information, among the six arrested in the urban planning corruption case is Mr. Bakogiannis’ brother-in-law, Th.M. (the sister of the arrested Th.M. is the wife of Mr. Bakogiannis), who is a Technical Advisor to the Decentralized Administration of Attica.

Also among those arrested is the wife of Th.M., who is the Secretary-General of the Municipality of Galatsi.

This development further complicates ongoing processes within the Ministry of Environment and Energy, at a time when the ministry is required to manage critical issues of spatial and urban planning, such as special spatial frameworks for tourism, renewable energy sources, industry, as well as a series of legislative initiatives.

The government spokesperson, Pavlos Marinakis, stated during the briefing of political correspondents, in response to a related question: “Mr. Bakogiannis’ resignation was for the reasons stated in his letter, and I have nothing further to add.”