Greek Govt Hit By Second Resignation
Published: June 27, 2012 (Issue # 1715)
ATHENS, Greece — A second Greek Cabinet member has resigned in two days, the latest casualty for the financially struggling country’s new conservative-led government.
Giorgos Vernicos, deputy minister for Greece’s merchant marine ministry, announced his resignation Tuesday and it was accepted by the government.
He did not immediately give a reason for his departure. But the main opposition Syriza party had accused him of maintaining an offshore company in what appeared to be a conflict of interest for a member of government.
On Monday, the designated finance minister resigned due to illness. And new Prime Minister Antonis Samaras himself is recovering from a weekend eye operation and will be unable to attend a European Union leaders’ summit later this week.
Greece is surviving on rescue loans from other EU countries and the International Monetary Fund.