Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis unveiled his new cabinet on Friday morning, following a reshuffle announced by Government Spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, in an aim to address growing public discontent and enhance New Democracy’s effectiveness in the face of mounting challenges.
The reshuffle came on the heels of Greece’s main opposition party PASOK’s attempt to topple the government- again– last Friday through a no-confidence motion, but the vote failed.
While the motion was not expected to pass, given the New Democracy party’s parliamentary majority, it was accompanied by massive nationwide protests. Demonstrators expressed their frustration over elusive justice for the Tempi train disaster and economic struggles such as inflation, both cited as key reasons by PASOK in the no-confidence motion.
With this cabinet reshuffle, PM Mitsotakis also seeks to refresh its public image, which has suffered from six years of leadership through seemingly endless crises and controversies. In previous announcements following the no-confidence vote, Mitsotakis made a verbal committment to finally fix Greece’s train system, focusing first and foremost on systems-safety.
Press conference held by the Minister of National Economy and Finance Costis Hatzidakis and the Deputy Ministers Christos Dimas and Thanos Petralias on “Changes for the modernization of tax legislation”, Tuesday 15 October 2024.
(TATIANA BOLARI/EUROKINISSI)
The most notable changes in the Greek cabinet reshuffle include Kostis Hatzidakis being appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Kyriakos Pierrakakis taking over as Minister of National Economy and Finance. Hatzidakis serves as Vice President of the New Democracy party and most recently had the role of Greece’s Minister of Finance. Pierrakakis was serving as Minister of Education but is mostly known for his work to “digitize” Greece as former Minister of Digital Governance.
Meanwhile, in response to incessant criticism of Greece’s railway transportation system, which led to the death of 57 persons just over 2 years ago in what is known as the Tempi railway disaster, Mitsotakis moved Christos Dimas to head of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. The PM also seeks to appease the country’s far-right faction through the appointment of controversial politician Makis Voridis to Ministry of Migration and Asylum.
That said, many key figures remained in their positions, following the adage “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” Such figures include Olga Kefalogianni as Minister of Tourism, Nikos Dendias as Minister of Defense, Lina Mendoni as Minister of Culture and Akis Skertsos as Minister of State.
Initial reactions from political analysts and media outlets suggest that the reshuffle is more strategic than cosmetic, involving near-surgical adjustments aimed at enhancing the government’s efficiency and performance.
Following the announcement, the Government spokesperson said that the new cabinet will be sworn in this Saturday at 11:00am and immediately start its work, holding the first cabinet meeting on the same day.
The complete list of the new Greek Cabinet, following the reshuffle, is below:
Ministry of National Economy and Finance
Minister: Kyriakos Pierrakakis
Deputy Minister: Nikos Papathanasis
Deputy Minister: Giorgos Kotsiras
Deputy Minister: Thanos Petralias
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Minister: Giorgos Gerapetritis
Deputy Minister: Alexandra Papadopoulou
Deputy Minister: Tasos Chatzivasileiou
Deputy Minister for Greeks Abroad: Giannis Loverdos
Ministry of National Defense
Minister: Nikos Dendias
Deputy Minister: Thanasis Davakis
Ministry of the Interior
Minister: Theodoros Livanios
Deputy Minister: Vasilis Spanakis
Deputy Minister for Macedonia-Thrace Affairs: Kostas Gioulekas
Deputy Minister: Vivi Charalampogianni
Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports
Minister: Sofia Zacharaki
Deputy Minister for Sports: Giannis Vroutsis
Deputy Minister for Higher Education: Nikos Papaiōannou
Deputy Minister: Kostas Vlasis
Ministry of Health
Minister: Adonis Georgiadis
Deputy Minister: Eirini Agapidaki
Deputy Minister: Dimitris Bartzopoulos
Deputy Minister: Marios Themistokleous
Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport
Minister: Christos Dimas
Deputy Minister for Transport: Konstantinos Kyranakis
Deputy Minister: Nikos Tachiaos
Ministry of Environment and Energy
Minister: Stavros Papastavrou
Deputy Minister: Nikos Tagaras
Deputy Minister for Energy: Nikos Tsafos
Ministry of Development
Minister: Takis Theodorikakos
Deputy Minister for Research and Innovation: Aristos Doxiadis
Deputy Minister: Lazaros Tsavdaridis
Ministry of Labor and Social Security
Minister: Niki Kerameus
Deputy Minister: Kostas Karagounis
Deputy Minister: Anna Efthymiou
Ministry of Citizen Protection
Minister: Michalis Chrysochoidis
Deputy Minister: Giannis Lampropoulos
Ministry of Justice
Minister: Giorgos Floridis
Deputy Minister: Giannis Bougas
Ministry of Culture
Minister: Lina Mendoni
Deputy Minister: Iason Fotilas
Ministry of Migration and Asylum
Minister: Makis Voridis
Deputy Minister: Sevi Voloudaki
Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family
Minister: Domna Michailidou
Deputy Minister: Elena Rapti
Ministry of Rural Development and Food
Minister: Kostas Tsiaras
Deputy Minister: Dionysis Stamenitis
Deputy Minister: Christos Kellas
Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy
Minister: Vasilis Kikilias
Deputy Minister: Stefanos Gikas
Ministry of Tourism
Minister: Olga Kefalogianni
Deputy Minister: Anna Karamanli
Ministry of Digital Governance
Minister: Dimitris Papastergiou
Deputy Minister: Christos Boukoros
Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection
Minister: Giannis Kefalogiannis
Deputy Minister: Kostas Katsafados
Deputy Minister: Evangelos Tournas
Minister of State: Akis Skertsos
Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister: Thanasis Kontogeorgis
Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister & Government Spokesperson: Pavlos Marinakis
Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister: Giorgos Mylonakis
