Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced a cabinet reshuffle in an effort to reset his government’s image as public opinion continues to turn against him, according to Euractiv.
The move comes amid a sharp decline in support for his New Democracy party, fueled by widespread dissatisfaction over the handling of a deadly train crash that killed 57 people, mostly young students, earlier this year.
The government narrowly survived a no-confidence vote last week, brought forward by opposition parties accusing it of covering up the causes of the train crash. Polls indicate that most Greeks believe the government is shielding politicians responsible for the disaster.
Major cabinet changes
Christos Dimas, current Deputy Economy Minister, a member of the new generation of politicians, has been appointed Transport Minister. The move is seen as an effort to address public anger over the train crash and improve the government’s handling of transportation safety.
Konstantinos Kyranakis, a young member of the party’s conservative wing, has been promoted to a more prominent role. He is expected to defend the government’s actions in public debates and help stem the erosion of support to the right.
Kyriakos Pierrakakis, new Economy Minister, comes from a socialist background but is considered a liberal politician with high popularity within the government. His appointment may signal a focus on economic stability and reform.
Makis Voridis has been named Migration Minister. His appointment is aimed at curbing voter drift to national-oriented parties by taking a tougher stance on migration issues. Meanwhile, Kostis Hatzidakis, incumbent Finance Minister, will become Mitsotakis’ chief of staff, responsible for coordinating government policies.
With elections not due until 2027, the Prime Minister must navigate a deeply polarised political landscape while addressing public anger over the train crash and other issues.
