The formation of the new government is in full swing, with a key pillar being the move of Finance Minister Kostis Hatzidakis to the Maximos Mansion and to a position of vice-president of the government with coordinating responsibilities. Hatzidakis is considered a person with political experience and methodicalness, and has a long-standing and personal political relationship with Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Unsurprisingly, his departure from Nike Street triggers the necessary “carrots” of any reformation, with this of course being significant at a critical time for the Greek economy, which is doing better than the European average, but also faces risks and challenges due to the geopolitical situation. According to protothema.gr, Mitsotakis has not settled on the person who could move to the sixth floor of the finance ministry and take the reins, according to cross-referenced information from protothema.gr.

One person being discussed is that of the current Labor Minister, Niki Kerameos, but she will be the third person to move in this government cycle after the Interior and Labor ministries. She, who was in Brussels yesterday, tells her interlocutors that she has not had any discussions with the prime minister in recent days, such as Adonis Georgiades did, who appears to be staying in the health portfolio. Political friends of Kerameos, however, think she has a good chance of being the economy’s first “czarina”, although the chances seem rather limited.

Another name that has been floated is that of Theodore Skylakakis, who has served as deputy minister before the 2023 election in finance. However, competent sources say that Mitsotakis has yet to make his decisions. Given, however, Nikos Papathanasis, who “runs” the Recovery Fund, will remain in a deputy position.

Voridis or Papastavrou

For the Ministry of Environment and Energy, where the departure of current minister Theodoros Skylakakis is discounted, an informal “brawl” is unfolding behind the scenes. Information wants the current Minister of State Makis Voridis, who is being moved from the current composition of the Maximos Mansion, to have the ministry on his “radar”, as it is a “heavy” portfolio.

On the other hand, Stavros Papastavrou who is on track to return to the government is aware of the market and knowledgeable about European data – hence he has been discussed for ministries in the KISEA circle, such as Immigration and Asylum.

The Infrastructure “puzzle”

There is also pending work on the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport front, where changes are expected to be radical. Many are discussing the name of current ND parliamentary representative Thanos Plevris, who is on the list but has yet to receive a message. The name of Kyriakos Pierrakakis has also been floated for the post in question, but given the current info, he seems to have a better chance of staying in the Ministry of Education.

The carousels and Mitarakis

According to reports, one name being floated for use in the government is that of former minister Notis Mitarakis, who was seen leaving in the summer of 2023 for the “misdemeanor” of being on Patmos for a few days amid fires, but who had informed Maximos Mansion. Mitarakis maintains a constant channel with Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

However, as long as Adonis Georgiades from Health, Mr. Pierrakakis from Education and possibly Niki Kerameos from Labor are not moved, the changes are limited.

The departures

A definite departure has to be considered that of the current Shipping Minister Christos Stylianides, who wants to return to Cyprus and run for the Presidency of the Republic. For his position, Vassilis Kikilias is strongly rumoured. Apparently, the entire leadership of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Minister Christos Staikouras and Deputy Ministers Vassilis Economou and Nikos Tachiaos are leaving. In a similar fate seems to be the Minister of Immigration and Asylum Nikos Panagiotopoulos along with his deputy minister Sofia Voultepsi, as well as Theodoros Skylakakis who remains to be seen, in the end, whether he will stay in another portfolio or be completely out of the picture.

As protothema.gr wrote yesterday, sweeping changes are expected on the front of deputy ministers, who will be replaced by other ND MPs. The prime minister’s “table” also includes a proposal to limit the number of members of the government, although this is not expected to be drastic. Changes are also being considered on the communications front at the Maximos Mansion, with the names of current director general of Information and Press Panos Amyras and communications director Eric Parks (he oversees social media) being discussed.