CEO of Greece’s Privatization Fund Stelios Stavridis submitted his resignation late on Sunday after Finance Minister Yiannis Stournaras asked him to do so. Stavridis did not mention the reason for his resignation. Citing government sources, Greek media report that Stavridis’ resignation was a matter of political ‘ethics’.
KTG reported earlier on Sunday:
Greece’s finance minister Yiannis Stournaras demanded the resignation of Privatizations’ Fund (TAIPED) CEO Stelios Stavridis, over alleged free flight on jet plane of gambling monopoly OPAP bidder Dimitris Melissanidis. Greek media report that Stournaras issued a short statement on Sunday demanding Stavridis’ resignation without mentioning the reasons. According to Sunday newspaper Proto Thema, Stavridis flew with the private Learjet of Melissanidis just hours after OPAP sale was signed and announced.
The signatures on 33% stake of Greece’s gambling monopoly OPAP fell last Monday at TAIPED headquarters in presence of Stavridis, Melissanidis and Stournaras. Shortly after that, Stavridis accepted Melissanidis’ offer to fly to the island of Kefalonia and continue his vacations on the jet of the businessman.
Stavridis told Proto Thema:
“I had come in Athens for one day to sign the sale and I would leave next morning with a flight that was leaving at 5:20 a.m. meaning I would have to wake up at 4 o’ clock in the dawn. However Mr. Melissanidis would go to France and offered to take me with him. He was kind enough to let me in Kefalonia where the plane was refueled and so I saved one day [of holiday! lol]
During the flight we talked about the sale of OPAP as we continuously talk with Mr. Melissanidis. He remains unhappy about the issue of lottery because he considers that the agreement should not have be done in this way. We do not agree at all with what he supports. Although we disagree for many months we maintain with him a level of excellent relations. ” (via NewsIt.gr in Greek)
Stavridis has a summer house in Kefalonia at the Ionian Sea and spends vacations with his family.
What do we learn from this story? That a person in highest position of Greece’s most important revenue bringing authority was too lazy to wake up at 4 in the morning and didn’t want to miss a swim in the sea. Or two…
PS A friend suggested that the government appoints clowns in serious positions in order a) to easily get rid of them and b)to provide some laughing to recession-hit and debt-ridden Greeks. I honestly do not know if this is true.
You have a wise friend, KTG. 😉
And why is Stavridis been asked to leave. He should be kicked out at once.
wel… ehm… he could resign and leave in honor (BUAHAHAHA!)
Honor my a** (Homeric buahahaha! indeed!)