Greece’s official cabinet, which will lead the country to the second round of parliamentary elections on June 25, was sworn in on Friday. The head of the interim government is the chairman of the Audit Chamber, Ioannis Sarmas, and the former president of the Court of Justice of the European Union and former interior minister of Greece, Vassilios Skouris, is the minister of state.
This government will govern very little as an early vote is already planned.
The May 21 parliamentary elections were won by New Democracy, but the party refused to form a government because it did not receive an absolute majority in parliament.
For the upcoming early elections, the old electoral system returns – proportional, but with a bonus of up to 50 additional deputies for the winning party.
It is expected that this will provide “New Democracy” with a future stable, but also one-party, 4-year rule.
In the election earlier this month, New Democracy received 41 percent of the Greek vote, more than 20 percent more than its main opponent, SYRIZA, which lost a lot of its voters.
Who’s who in the office?
The positions of foreign minister and defense minister were taken by Vassilios Kaskarelis and Alkiviadis Stefanis. Theodoros Pelagidis took over the Ministry of Finance, Eleni Lourie – the Ministry of Development and Investment. The head of the interior ministry is Kaliopi Spanou, and the head of justice is Philippos Spiropoulos.
The Ministry of Education and Religions was taken over by Christos Kitas, and Patrina Paparigopoulou became the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs.
The Ministry of Health was entrusted to Anastasia Kotanidou, the environment and energy – to Pandelis Kapros, and the protection of citizens – to Haralambos Lalousis.
The Ministry of Culture and Sports is headed by Yorgos Koumendakis, and the Ministry of Migration and Asylum by Daniil Ezdras. The Minister of Digital Policy is Sokratis Katsikas, and the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport is Yiannis Golias.
The Ministry of the Navy and Islands Affairs was handed over to Theodoros Kliaris. Yorgos Tsakiris is Minister of Agrarian Development and Food, Ioanna Dreta of Tourism, and Minister of Climate Change and Civil Protection is Evangelos Tournas, BTA reported.
“We have the will to do our best. This is one month and one government without political biases that will be fully functional.” caretaker government spokesman Ilias Syakandaris said before the ceremony.
