Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis retained most of his top Cabinet ministers on Tuesday, with the first reshuffle during his government’s tenure since assuming power in July 2019 seeing a change at the helm of only a handful of ministries – but none dealing with the ongoing public health emergency and its economic repercussions.
Additionally, no changes were made to the all-important finance, foreign affairs and the increasingly prominent – due to Turkish belligerence and provocations – defense ministry.
The Mitsotakis Cabinet now numbers now less than 58, in a country of roughly 11 million residents. Of the total, nine are women.
Kostis Hatzidakis was shifted from the energy and environment ministry to the labor and social insurances portfolio, a post that deals with the multifaceted sector of pension and social security in the country. His spot at the former ministry was assumed by Costas Skrekas, who was joined by two new deputy ministers with differing portfolios.
Another noteworthy change involves Makis Voridis, once a far-right politician who’s moved closer to the center of Greece’s political spectrum in order to join and enter Parliament with New Democracy, as the latter was shifted from the agriculture ministry to the more influential interior ministry. His post was filled by Cabinet newcomer Spilios Livanos.
Christos Tarantilis takes over as government spokesman from Stelios Petsas, was assumed a deputy minister’s post at the interior ministry, with his portfolio involving local government.
A new portfolio was created at the asylum and migration ministry, namely, one entitled integration, which will be filled with veteran lawmaker and journalist Sofia Voultepsi.
