Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-02-14

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] PM announces sweeping gov't reshuffle; smaller Cabinet

[01] PM announces sweeping gov't reshuffle; smaller Cabinet

One of the most prominent but expected decisions involved the appointment of outgoing Athens mayor Dora Bakoyanni as foreign minister in place of veteran high-ranking career diplomat Petros Molyviatis, a long-time adviser to the prime minister and to his uncle and namesake, late Greek statesman and ND founder Constantine Karamanlis. The other change at the foreign ministry was the appointment of Theodoros Kassimis as one of three deputy ministers, replacing Panayiotis Skandalakis.

In a later press conference, Molyviatis announced his retirement from public service.

A more-or-less surprise came with the announcement that six deputy ministers' posts were eliminated.

In another high-profile change, ruling ND party secretary Vangelis Meimarakis was appointed as the new defence minister, in place of Spilios Spiliotopoulos.

Health Minister Nikitas Kaklamanis, meanwhile, one of the most popular figures in the government, according to opinion polls, left the post to run for mayor of Athens in the fall municipal elections on an ND-backed ticket. Former Athens mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos will replace Kaklamanis, as the former was shifted from the tourism development ministry.

Avramopoulos' position was filled by Fani Palli-Petralia, up until Tuesday the alternate culture minister.

Karamanlis, furthermore, sheds the culture ministry portfolio he kept for himself during a period that also coincided with the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, with George Voulgarakis assuming the post after being shifted from the public order minister's chair.

Top ND cadre and former minister Vyron Polydoras fills Voulgarakis' position at the public order ministry.

Former agriculture minister Savvas Tsitouridis takes over from Panos Panayiotopoulos at the employment and social protection ministry.

Additionally, newcomer George Kalantzis assumes the Macedonia-Thrace portfolio in place of Nikos Tsiartsionis.

Tuesday's political developments end months of mostly local press speculation over when and if Karamanlis would reshuffle his Cabinet.

Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos announced the reshuffle during his regular daily press briefing. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Presidential Mansion.

(Caption: Minister of State and government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos arrives at the press ministry's briefing room in Athens on Tuesday, minutes before he announced a government reshuffle. ANA / P. Saitas)

ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article