Greece – We Have a Prime Minister But No Ministers Yet

After months of appointed leaders, Greeks finally got an elected Prime Minister. Antonis Samaras was sworn-in on Wednesday afternoon. However the cabinet composition of coalition government has not be concluded yet. The Greek “Troika” with Samaras (ND), Venizelos (PASOK) and Kouvelis (Democratic Left) have been having hard times to keep the necessary balance. Among the coalition partners but also among the each party officials.

The list with the names of ministers has been modified several times and names were added, deleted or forwared to other ministries than originally planned, Greek media report. There were quite some last-minute changes and the night was much too long.

The cabinet is expected to be composed of MPs from Nea Dimocratia and non-elected personalities (technocrats) picked up by PASOK and DEMLEFT.

There is a long list of rumours about who will lead what ministry but it makes no sense to post the names yet.

What is quite sure is that Vasilis Rapanos, the president of the National Bank, will be the new Finance Minister.

According to TO VIMA, PASOK will take part in the government with four ministers and four alternate ministers, all of them with no previous Parliament participation.

DEMLEFT is being claimed to participate also with maximu four ministers, not elected MPs as well.

It looks as if the new government will have a strong ND “fragrance” in the important ministries.

State broadcaster NET TV reported that the new government will be lean, with 16 ministers and 20 alternate ministers. Some ministries will be merged (Justice and Public Order, Culture and Education for example), new will be established (Maritime, Tourism).

Samaras, Venizelos and Kouvelis  are scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. in order to fine tune the governmental programme and for last check of the cabinet list.

After the meeting the new government is expected to be announced.

Article from KeeptalkingGreece