Spyros Pneumatikos has officially announced his decision – which was announced when he was excluded from the electoral race – to hand over the seat he won in Evia for New Democracy in Sunday’s elections.

In his post on Facebook, Mr. Pneumatikos – who had been excluded from the electoral race for statements he had made regarding the treatment of terminally ill cancer patients – declares that he is “obliged and grateful for the vote and support of the citizens of Evia” as the New Democracy in Sunday’s elections won three seats from two in the May polls.

Mr. Pneumatikos says: “I am sincerely obliged and grateful for the vote and support of the citizens of Evia. The victory of New Democracy in the first electoral contest and the increase in the confidence of the fellow citizens of this great region in the second ballot in the person of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis justify the fight for a better Greece, in which I participated in previous years.

Nevertheless, after the uproar and concern caused to my fellows by a distorted interpretation of my scientific and medical status on the occasion of an unfortunate aversion to my public conversation, I have made it clear that I will not continue my term in Parliament.

I am deeply sorry for the disappointment that may be felt by those who supported me with their choice, but I will follow the prescribed procedures so that the parliamentary seat remains in New Democracy”.