Greece’s reshuffled Cabinet was sworn in on Saturday at the Presidential Mansion, with President Kostas Tasoulas presiding. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis later convened his first meeting with the ministers, emphasizing efficiency and swift action. ‘This reshuffle sends a double message: Renewal and action to improve citizens’ lives,’ he said. The Cabinet changes prioritize economic growth, infrastructure, transportation and immigration policy. Mitsotakis called on ministers to produce ‘tangible results,’ personally overseeing their key priorities. ‘Everything depends on us,’ he said. [YIANNIS LIAKOS/INTIME NEWS]
The Greek government is looking for a fresh start after the cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Mitsotakis on Friday.
The government is under pressure as social opposition over its handling of the Tempe train crash persists and its popularity in the polls is waning. However, it remains well ahead of the opposition parties.
However, the new cabinet got off to a bad start when Deputy Research and Innovation Minister Aristos Doxiadis resigned on Sunday, just one day after being sworn in.
Cabinet restart
Mitsotakis visited the finance ministry on Monday and met the new minister, Kyriakos Pierrakakis. This was the first in a series of visits to ministries aimed at setting the tone for a new start for the government.
The prime minister wants to signal a new beginning, with a focus on the economy, especially after Greece regained its investment grade rating from Moody’s on Friday. He aims to underline that the government’s fiscal policy is bearing fruit and that this will soon be reflected in voters’ real incomes.
On Tuesday, the prime minister will visit the ministries of transport and infrastructure, and on Wednesday the ministries of interior and digital governance.
Cyprus talks
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is hosting talks on the future of Cyprus in Geneva on Monday and Tuesday with the Cypriot President, the Turkish Cypriot leader and representatives of the three guarantor powers, Greece, Turkey and the UK.
The first event will be a dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel in Geneva on Monday at 19.00.
On Tuesday morning, the UN Secretary-General will hold a series of bilateral meetings with each delegation. The enlarged meeting will then begin at 11.30 a.m. at the Palais des Nations, the UN building in Geneva.
Several attempts to find a compromise solution over the years have failed, most recently in 2017 in Crans-Montana, Switzerland; formal talks have not resumed since then. This is the longest period without dialogue.
European Council
European leaders will attend a European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, as the EU tries to formulate a response to the policies announced by the Trump presidency.
The day before, the European Commission will present its white paper on the future of European defense.