Government loses fourth general secretary as election deadline looms

A fourth general secretary resigned from the government in less than a month on Monday.

Marinos Skandamis, who was in charge of prison policy at the Justice Ministry, cited personal reasons for his resignation, according to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency. However, it is believed that he stood down so he can run as a candidate in the next general elections.

Three general secretaries resigned last month so they would be free to stand in the polls. By law public officials have to resign at least 18 months before general elections are due to be held so they can be allowed to take part.

The next elections would have to be held by June 2016, meaning officials have to leave their positions by December.

In the case of early elections, the officials must have left their jobs before the polls are called.