University entrance exam scoring system to be reviewed following Tsavdaridis scandal

In the wake of the controversy involving former Deputy Minister Lazaros Tsavdaridis, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has instructed the Ministry of Education and the General Secretariat for Sports to review the framework governing the awarding of bonus points in Greece’s nationwide university entrance examinations (Panhellenic Exams).

As government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis announced, changes are being considered in two areas:

First, ensuring that athletes genuinely participate in teams and competitions, although Marinakis acknowledged that there are technical difficulties in verifying participation in certain sports.

Second, taking into account the number of years students have been involved in sporting activities.

Marinakis clarified that, once the Ministry of Education has finalised its proposal, transitional provisions will be introduced for students sitting the nationwide examinations this year and next year, to avoid confusion.

The government spokesperson pointed out that the relevant legislative framework dates back decades. Referring to information provided by Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki, he noted that the law currently in force dates from 1999, although it has undergone numerous amendments under successive governments, including the current administration.

“This is an opportunity for us to review it as a political system,” he commented.

“Just because something is legal does not mean it is ethical”

Regarding the alleged fictitious participation of Tsavdaridis’s daughter in a handball team to secure additional points in the nationwide university entrance examinations, Marinakis argued that the issue was not one of legality but rather an ethical matter.

Citing a statement from the Hellenic Handball Federation, he maintained that no question of legality had been raised. However, he stressed that “the explanations provided by Mr Tsavdaridis were deemed insufficient regarding the other aspects of the case,” presenting the deputy minister’s resignation as a decision taken promptly that effectively brought the matter to a close.

“There are many cases where something is legal. That does not mean it is ethical. Whether it is legal is for the Hellenic Handball Federation to determine. However, questions arise about the timing, given the position held by the deputy minister at the time. Explanations were provided, but within less than a day they were deemed insufficient,” the government spokesperson said.

He described Tsavdaridis’s resignation as “an honourable decision” and called for people to “avoid a witch hunt” and “respect the fact that a child is involved,” noting that she was a minor when the events in question took place.
Industry Portfolio Transferred to Theodorikakos – Why Vartzopoulos Returned to Government
Regarding the limited cabinet reshuffle triggered by Tsavdaridis’s resignation, Marinakis clarified that responsibility for the industry portfolio, which he described as particularly important and which had previously fallen under the Deputy Minister of Development, would now be transferred directly to Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos.

Vasilis Spanakis is set to take over as Deputy Minister of Development, while Vasilis Liakos will succeed him as Deputy Minister of the Interior.

Meanwhile, Dimitris Vartzopoulos is returning to the government as Deputy Minister of Health, a position he previously held before resigning in connection with the second case file concerning the OPEKEPE agricultural subsidies scandal.

Marinakis pointed out that Vartzopoulos is returning to his former position at the Ministry of Health, which had remained vacant. He stressed that Vartzopoulos was among the New Democracy MPs who had been vindicated after, according to Marinakis, being unfairly portrayed by the opposition as defendants in the OPEKEPE scandal.

He also recalled that Deputy Foreign Minister Tasos Chatzivasileiou, whose name had likewise appeared in the OPEKEPE case files, had already returned to the government.

Marinakis emphasised that these were not the only two New Democracy MPs who had been vindicated and suggested that others could also be reinstated or politically rehabilitated if favourable court rulings, including acquittals, emerged in their cases.