With the reshuffle under discussion but not yet formatted, Kyriakos Mitsotakis is making appointments and contacts with ministers and associates, attempting to reach his final decisions. Something that is expected to happen most likely by Friday, although some don’t rule out that the announcements of the new government’s formation will be slightly extended into the weekend if a final formula is not found.

What is a given, however, is the move of Kostis Hatzidakis to a vice-presidential position at the Maximos building, with a coordinating role for the ministries in the economic circle. Hatzidakis will not be a “decorative” vice-president, he will have a presence and an office in the Maximos Mansion, while another person is now added to the government organization chart before Mitsotakis’ door, in an attempt to address the intra-governmental plurality in some cases.

The “move” of Hatzidakis to M.M. is the occasion for a series of changes, as Kyriakos Mitsotakis is still looking for the “czar” of the economy and does not seem to have come to a decision. At the same time, of course, a “parade” of ministers from the government center is unfolding over the past two days as Mitsotakis makes appointments.

Tet-a-tet

Yesterday afternoon, Kyriakos Pierrakakis was at the Maximos Mansion, along with Andreas Slycher, director for education and skills at the OECD and founder of the PISA student achievement assessment program.

Pierrakakis was alone for a few minutes with Mitsotakis and they discussed the developments in a very good atmosphere, according to reports. According to the same line of information, associates of the Prime Minister are suggesting that the Minister of Education should be used in the position of Finance Minister. Of course, there is also the solution of the current Environment and Energy Minister Theodore Skylakakis, who was also at M.M. on Monday and met with Mitsotakis.

Yesterday, Kostis Hatzidakis returned from Brussels and is on an open line with Mitsotakis. Deputy Finance Minister Nikos Papathanasis, who is not expected to move from his post, was also in M.M. yesterday. New Democracy MP Notis Mitarakis, who is expected to rejoin the government, was also seen entering M.M. yesterday at noon, while former minister Stavros Papastavrou, who has been heard from for the Ministries of Immigration and Environment and Energy, also met with the prime minister on Monday. If, of course, Makis Voridis moves, he is the favorite for Environment and Energy.

Leakage containment

Another person who was at the Maximou Mansion yesterday was former minister Dimitris Kairidis, who is included in the circle of discussions. This includes Kostas Skrekas and Thanos Plevris, while it remains to be seen whether other caroms may arise, for example if Mr. Pierrakakis is eventually moved from the Education Ministry. What is interesting, however, is the fact that even in his appointments, Mitsotakis does not open their cards to his interlocutors, apparently wanting to limit leaks.

According to protothema.gr, Justice Minister Giorgos Floridis is expected to remain in his post. If Mitsotakis comes up with the final ministerial lineup, he will then move on to planning for the deputy ministers, where sweeping changes, possibly including position cuts, are expected.