Popi Kanari, Petros Xenofontos, Philippos Hadjizacharias, and Kostas Koumis are reportedly on the countdown for their exit from the government, according to converging sources.
The two ministers (Health and Agriculture) and two deputy ministers (Innovation and Tourism) seem to be the first on President Nikos Christodoulides’ list for reshuffling when and if he proceeds with the implementation.
In any case, these four names are indicated as the weakest links in the initial assessment conducted.
Simultaneously, information suggests that several other ministers are in a state of limbo, awaiting the outcome of the President’s efforts to find replacements. Makis Keravnos, Anna Koukkides-Procopiou, Michalis Giorgallas, and George Papanastasiou are among the scenarios for reshuffling.
Regarding Finance Minister Makis Keravnos, apart from the difficulty in finding someone willing to take on the challenging economic portfolio, there is reportedly intense backstage activity.
The President is said to be facing pressure from banking and business circles.
Makis Keravnos inspires confidence in both banks and entrepreneurs due to positive evaluations of the Cypriot economy by international financial institutions.
As for Justice Minister Anna Koukkides-Procopiou, her name had previously been considered for reshuffling after incidents in Chloraka.
However, the President failed to find a replacement, despite approaching individuals, receiving negative responses.
The scenario of moving her to the Deputy Ministry of European Affairs seems unlikely, with recent information pointing to the appointment of Marilena Raouna, director of the Diplomatic Office, to that position.
The fate of Deputy Minister to the President Irini Piki remains uncertain.
The President reportedly wants to keep her in the government but with a different position and duties. For the Deputy Minister to the President, the intention is to appoint someone with both technical knowledge and political experience.
President Christodoulides attempted to shift the focus of media reports yesterday, trying to unload the pressure he created with his statements and leaks from his associates about the imminent reshuffle.
There seems to be reluctance to implement the reshuffle announcement, with the President once again chasing events created by himself and his associates.
Due to this reluctance, there are considerations of postponing announcements until March, citing the completion of one year of governance, to gain time for finding new ministers.
In continuation of his statements to his ministers in front of cameras, President Christodoulides’ spokesman, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, stated that the President emphasized remaining focused on implementing the government’s work.
When asked about the government reshuffle and the President’s references before the Cabinet meeting, Letymbiotis said that whether a reshuffle will happen is at the discretion of the President based on the powers provided to him by the Constitution.
“He emphasized today that we remain focused on implementing the government’s work,” Letymbiotis added, reassuring that the President’s collaboration with all his associates is excellent and beloved. All are concentrated on implementing the government’s work.
