PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis conducted a thorough assessment, analyzing both the political outcome and individual performances. This has led to a reshuffle aimed at strengthening the Prime Minister’s office, as well as introducing personnel changes in crucial ministries, with a primary focus on improving everyday life for citizens. This translation aims to highlight the political implications of the cabinet meeting, emphasizing the strategic decisions made by Mitsotakis and the potential power shifts within the government.
Mitsotakis’s Cabinet Reshuffle
A Power Play for Everyday Life While the Prime Minister’s recent adjustments to a few ministries didn’t quite constitute a full-fledged reshuffle, his bold personnel changes yesterday leave no doubt about his intentions. Following the elections, Mitsotakis has clearly taken stock, analyzing both the political outcome and individual performances. This has led to a strategic shift, bolstering the Prime Minister’s office and introducing new faces in key ministries, with a primary focus on improving everyday life for citizens. The Cabinet meeting today, the first with the new lineup, marks the beginning of this new era. Next week, Mitsotakis will embark on a series of visits to ministries, particularly those with new leadership, starting with the Ministry of Interior and Theodoros Livanios on Tuesday or Wednesday.
The newly appointed ministers will face a baptism by fire, with several taking on challenging roles. Takis Theodorikakos, now leading the Ministry of Development, faces the daunting task of tackling rising prices and convincing the public that the government is doing everything in its power to address the issue. Kostas Tsiaras at the Ministry of Rural Development must clean up the mess left behind by months of tension and unrest and quickly address outstanding payments to producers. Niki Kerameos, at the Ministry of Labor, also faces a difficult task, as the recent election results show that ND received only 23% of the vote from private sector employees, a concerning low number for a traditionally strong constituency. Theodoros Livanios, a close confidant of Mitsotakis, now leading the Ministry of Interior, is tasked with implementing crucial reforms, including the introduction of postal voting in national elections and changes to the ASEDP (Civil Service Commission). Nikos Panagiotopoulos at the Ministry of Migration faces the challenge of changing the perception of the ministry’s performance, although it’s difficult to blame Dimitris Kairidis for failing to meet unrealistic targets. Despite the lack of a major migration crisis, there was a sense of dissatisfaction among the right-leaning ND base.
New Power Dynamics at Maximos Mansion
The arrival of Georgios Mylonakis as Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister shifts the power dynamics at Maximos Mansion. This trusted advisor, previously in Parliament since 2019, will be responsible for rectifying errors and managing crises. He effectively combines the responsibilities of the two former deputies, Yannis Bratakos and Stavros Papastavrou, who were removed from their positions earlier this year. Mylonakis’s appointment also aims to streamline the operations of Maximos Mansion, with a clearer division of responsibilities. This means that Akis Skertsos and Thanos Kontogeorgis will focus on promoting the government’s agenda, while Makis Voridis will oversee legislation alongside the Prime Minister’s General Secretary, Stelios Koutnatzis. Government Spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, now a trusted figure for the Prime Minister, plays a strengthened role at Maximos Mansion. The communications team at Maximos Mansion will also change the election of former press office director Dimitris Tsiodras to the European Parliament. Christos Zografos, a close associate of Mitsotakis, will take over as director of the press office, while the other deputy director, Giorgos Efthymiou, will become Director of Information and Crisis Management. Experienced journalist Panos Amyras will join the communications team, leaving his position as director of “Eleftheros Typos”. This translation emphasizes the political maneuvering and strategic shifts within the government, highlighting the key players and their respective roles in the new administration.
