the country to become a major maritime centre, an aspiration that Voulgarakis had expressed repeatedly, trying to lure more shipping companies to move their headquarters back in Piraeus.
In his resignation letter to the prime minister, referred to "an orchestrated effort to slander him" and said that this was also affecting the government's image -- citing this as the reason for his decision to resign. He also thanked PM Costas Karamanlis for entrusting him with several ministerial posts since 2004.
"With a torrent of lies and mud aimed to create impressions, the cold-blooded termination of my political existence is being attempted, as well as a denigration of my honor and reputation. (Main opposition) PASOK is behind this unethical and slanderous strategy, again employing its old tactics in order to serve its petty partisan interests," he accused in his letter.
Later on Friday, government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos said the premier had accepted the resignation and thanked Voulgarakis for his "significant political work" since 2004 at the public order, culture and merchant marine ministries.
Among others, Roussopoulos cited Voulgarakis' effective work towards reforming and privatizing the country's major ports.

Nikos Roussanoglou, Hellenic Shipping News