President Christodoulides is set to implement significant changes to his government structure within January, Phileleftheros reported on Wednesday citing sources.
In discussions with coalition parties, the President conveyed a dual message: firstly, his decision to initiate a reshuffle in January, and secondly, his assertion that he will have the final say on who stays and who departs from the government.
Information from discussions between the President of the Republic and party leaders and close associates indicates that the reshuffle will be extensive, potentially affecting up to half of the members of the cabinet.
In an interview with Phileleftheros, the President stated, “The reshuffle, like the overall performance of the government, is purely my personal matter,” and added, “After almost ten months in governing the country, I have a personal opinion about each minister.”
The widely discussed message sent from the Presidential Palace last Sunday, the last day of 2023, regarding the decision to reshuffle before the 18-month mark, was a focal point in political circles. Both the President’s interview with Phileleftheros and reports from two Sunday newspapers indicated a clear target: to send a message to the ministers that they may not complete their 18 months in office.
In his interview, President Christodoulides emphasised, “What I can say with certainty is that the reshuffle will happen before the completion of 18 months in governance.” This statement was reiterated three times during the interview. Reports from “Kathimerini” also suggest, “Government sources estimate that the reshuffling issue will be addressed earlier, perhaps before completing the first year in office, while Nikos Christodoulides has already indicated to his circle that he will not follow the example of his predecessors who waited for the completion of 18 months for ministers to be entitled to a ministerial pension.” A similar report in “Politis” refers to a conversation on the matter: “…I don’t feel obliged to keep anyone in a position until they complete 18 months of service and are entitled to a pension.”
The Presidential Palace aimed to convey a message to government members that some should prepare for departure soon. President Christodoulides, from his discussions, appears to want the reshuffling to take place within January, a move perceived as aiding in a dynamic restart with the new year.
Regarding changes in the government structure, it is not ruled out that up to five or even eight members of the cabinet may be affected. This will depend on the number of individuals available to take on ministerial portfolios. Current indications suggest that members of President Christodoulides’ close circle in the government and the Presidential Palace are not at risk of being replaced.
Those who are expected to stay:
Four ministers—Konstantinos Kombos, Konstantinos Ioannou, Athina Michaelidou, and Yiannis Panayiotou—seem, according to all information, to be irreplaceable in their current positions. The President views these four positively. As for the President’s associates on the Presidential Palace staff, Irene Piki and Konstantinos Letymbiotis, along with Deputy Minister of Shipping Marina Hadjimanoli, are expected to continue in the government.
Concerning Irene Piki, it is not excluded that she may end up in a ministry, contingent on whether the President’s contacts yield a suitable replacement for the Deputy Minister’s position. The President’s goal is to find someone with a political background to fill a significant gap in the Presidential Palace.
