Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis ordered a cabinet reshuffle Friday as his conservative government works to address declining public approval over the deadly 2023 Tempi rail disaster and a rise in support for far-right parties.
The most notable change brings popular former minister of digital governance Kyriakos Pierrakakis to the helm of the Finance Ministry. Pierrakakis, 42, is seen as a rising star in the governing New Democracy party and a political centrist.
But in a nod to traditional conservatives, Makis Voridis, a politician with a far-right background, was named as the new Migration Minister –- a high-profile appointment likely aimed at slowing the governing party’s loss of support to fringe far-right parties.
The cabinet reorganiσation came a day after veteran conservative lawmaker Constantine Tassoulas was sworn in as Greece’s new president. Tassoulas replaced Katerina Sakellaropoulou, who was the first woman to hold the office, in the largely ceremonial position.
Mitsotakis, despite his strong lead in opinion polls over a fractured opposition, is struggling to restore public confidence after the Tempi collision that killed 57 people and sparked widespread protests over perceived government accountability failures.
Mitsotakis’ center-right New Democracy party has seen its approval ratings slide in recent weeks as the government continues to grapple with the disaster’s political fallout.
See the full list of the new Greek Cabinet below:
Prime Minister: Kyriakos Mitsotakis
Vice-President: Kostis Hatzidakis
Finance Ministry
Minister: Kyriakos Pierrakakis
Alternate Minister: Nikos Papathanasis
Deputy Finance Minister: George Kotsiras
Deputy Finance Minister: Thanos Petralias
Development and Investments Ministry
Minister: Takis Theodorikakos
Deputy Minister for Research and Innovation: Aristos Doxiadis
Deputy Minister: Lazaros Tsavdaridis
Foreign Affairs Ministry
Minister: George Gerapetritis
Deputy Minister: Alexandra Papadopoulou
Deputy Minister: Tasos Hatzivasileiou
Deputy Minister for Greeks Abroad: Yiannis Loverdos
Citizen Protection Ministry
Minister: Michalis Chrisoichoidis
Deputy Minister: Yannis Lambropoulos
National Defence Ministry
Minister: Nikos Dendias
Deputy Minister: Thanasis Davakis
Education and Religions Ministry
Minister: Sofia Zacharaki
Deputy Minister for Sports: Yiannis Vroutsis
Deputy Minister for Higher Education: Nikos Papaioannou
Deputy Minister: Kostas Vlasis
Labour and Social Affairs Ministry
Minister: Niki Kerameus
Deputy Minister: Kostas Karagounis
Deputy Minister: Anna Efthimiou
Social Cohesion and Family Ministry
Minister: Domna Michailidou
Deputy Minister: Elena Rapti
Health Minister
Minister: Adonis Georgiadis
Alternate Minister: Irini Agapidaki
Deputy Minister: Dimitris Vartzopoulos
Deputy Minister: Marios Themistocleous
Environment and Energy Ministry
Minister: Stavros Papastavrou
Deputy Minister: Nikos Tagaras
Deputy Minister for energy issues: Nikos Tsafos
Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Ministry
Minister: Yiannis Kefalogiannis
Deputy Minister: Kostas Katsafados
Deputy Minister: Evangelos Tournas
Culture Ministry
Minister: Lina Mendoni
Deputy Minister: Iason Fotilas
Justice Ministry
Minister: Yannis Floridis
Deputy Minister: Yiannis Bougas
Interior Ministry
Minister: Thodoris Livanios
Deputy Minister: Vasilis Spanakis
Deputy Minister for Macedonia-Thrace Issue: Kostas Gkioulekas
Deputy Minister: Vivi Charalambogianni
Digital Governance Ministry
Minister: Dimitris Papastergiou
Deputy Minister: Christos Boukoros
Infrastructure and Transport Ministry
Minister: Christos Dimas
Alternate Minister for Transport: Konstantinos Kyranakis
Deputy Minister: Nikos Tachiaos
Maritime and Insular Policy Ministry
Minister: Vasilis Kikilias
Deputy Minister: Stefanos Gkikas
Rural Development and Foods Ministry
Minister: Costas Tsiaras
Deputy Minister: Dionysis Stamenitis
Deputy Minister: Christos Kelas
Tourism Ministry
Minister: Olga Kefalogianni
Deputy Minister: Anna Karamanli
Migration and Asylum Ministry
Minister: Makis Voridis
Deputy Minister: Sevi Voloudaki
Minister of State
Minister of State: Akis Skertsos
Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister: Thanassis Kontogiorgis
Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister and Government Spokesperson: Pavlos Marinakis
Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister: Giorgos Mylonakis
The swearing-in ceremony will be held on Saturday, at 11:00, at the Presidential Mansion, in the presence of Greek President Constantine Tassoulas. A cabinet meeting will follow chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Also read: Tassoulas sworn in as President of the Hellenic Republic today
Source: ANA-MPA / AP
