Author quits municipal council

Author Petros Markaris, whose Costas Haritos series of crime novels has been translated into a number of European languages, stepped down from his position as a City of Athens councilor on Tuesday.

In a letter to Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis, Markaris said that his busy professional schedule, including commitments abroad, as well as an accident last year had left him unable to fulfill his role adequately.

“Recently, I have become increasingly aware that I am occupying a seat on the City of Athens council without offering anything in the slightest,” wrote the author.

Markaris was elected in the May 2014 municipal elections.