Fallout from data breach scandal escalates
Top Interior Ministry official resigns, ND official ousted amid inquiry
Interior Ministry General Secretary Michalis Stavrianoudakis on Friday tendered his resignation amid the scandal involving mass campaign emails sent by a New Democracy MEP to Greek voters residing overseas, breaching GDPR regulations.
New Democracy’s Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, Nikos Theodoropoulos, was dismissed in connection with the same incident.
The MEP in question, Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou, announced earlier on Friday that she would not be contesting in the June election. She added that it was now the responsibility of the competent authorities to ascertain the truth regarding the matter.
It is understood that in May 2023 the list of email addresses was allegedly acquired by an associate of Stavrianoudakis, who forwarded them Theodoropoulos. The list was later passed on to Asimakopoulou.
Friday’s developments followed Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ comments on Tuesday, emphasizing the need for an “in-depth” investigation into the matter. He said that his conservative party was conducting its own inquiry.
The Athens Prosecutor’s Office and the country’s Data Protection Authority (DPA) have already taken action regarding the case.
