With the reshuffle Prime Minister Antonis Samaras wanted to send a message that he continues the policy that is followed over the last two years while correcting errors and omissions.

He wanted also to keep the balance between New Democracy and PASOK. At the same time he took into account the outcome of the European elections and local elections with respect to the choice of persons with which he will attempt to repair the relations with social groups such as farmers.

It is interesting, though, that the new persons in the cabinet have similar political and ideological profile with their predecessors.

The Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and President of PASOK Evangelos Venizelos kept the balance between them. PASOK maintained the same number of ministries and got two more deputy ministers while New Democracy got two deputy ministers, too. So, the new number of cabinet members raised to 46 from 42. However it is said that there was a disagreement between Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister during their discussions since Mr. Venizelos claimed more ministries which was not accepted by Mr. Samaras.

There was a shift between the two parties as far as the Ministry of Rural Development and Food and the Ministry of Education are concerned. The Prime Minister demanded and took the Ministry of Rural Development to correct the bad climate created against New Democracy as it was recorded during the European elections in rural areas and gave PASOK the Ministry of Education.

With these changes, Mr Samaras wants to restart the government and mark the path towards the post-memorandum period.