Major Greek Cabinet shuffle seems set to stem falling popularity

ATHENS

Greece on Friday saw a major Cabinet shuffle in an apparent attempt to buoy the government's falling popularity.

Kostis Hatzidakis, a senior lawmaker and close aide of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, was appointed deputy premier.

His previous post as the finance minister will be taken over by Kyriakos Pierrakakis, formerly minister of education, religious affairs, and sports.

Sofia Zacharaki, previously family affairs minister, was appointed the new education minister.

Domna Michailidou took over her previous post.

Christos Dimas replaced Christos Staikouras as transport minister.

Vassilis Kikilias was appointed the new shipping minister while his position as civil protection minister was taken over by Ioannis Kefalogiannis, who previously served as deputy defense minister.

Former State Minister Makis Voridis was appointed migration minister.

Citing government sources, Kathimerini daily said that the Cabinet reshuffle represents “a significant renewal,” stressing that the prime minister has provided “opportunities for young talent.”

The government’s popularity has taken a dive owing to inflation, low wages, and public dissatisfaction over its handling of the deadly Tempi train crash in 2023.

Though it still leads in public opinion polls, the governing New Democracy party’s approval has steadily declined in recent months.