Following the swearing-in of President Kostas Tasoulas on Thursday, March 13, the countdown has begun for the announcement of a new reshuffle and the subsequent swearing-in of the new Cabinet, expected on Friday. Significant changes are anticipated as Finance Minister Kostis Hatzidakis moves to the Maximos Mansion, assuming the role of Deputy Prime Minister. Speculation suggests that Labor Minister Niki Kerameou may not take over Hatzidakis’ portfolio; instead, Education Minister Kyriakos Pierakkis is being mentioned. If this happens, Social Cohesion and Family Minister Sophia Zacharakis could assume Pierakkis’ position. Zacharakis, an educator with prior experience in the Education Ministry, might be a strong candidate. Meanwhile, Kerameou is likely leaving her current role, possibly moving to the Justice Ministry if she doesn’t secure the economic portfolio, replacing Giorgos Floridis, who is rumored to leave the government.
Foreign Affairs Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis and National Defense Minister Nikos Dendias remain unchanged, along with Interior Minister Theodoros Livanios, Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos, Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrisochoides, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, Agricultural Development and Food Minister Kostas Tsiares, and Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis. A major shift is expected at the Infrastructure and Transport Ministry, where Prime Minister Mitsotakis aims to signal a fresh start. Current minister Christos Staikouras and his deputies, Nicos Tachiou and Vassilis Oikonomou, may step aside, while Digital Governance Deputy Minister Konstantinos Kyranakis is set to move to a new deputy transport minister role.
Ex-ministers Thanos Pleuris and Stavros Papastavrou are tipped to return, potentially to the Energy and Environment Ministry (after Theodoros Skylakakis requested to leave for personal reasons) or the Migration and Asylum Ministry, replacing Nikos Panagiotopoulos. Additionally, two former ministers, Kostas Skrekas and Evripidis Stylianidis, might re-enter the government. New faces under consideration include MPs Makarios Lazaridis, Giorgos Stylios, Tasos Demoschakis, Maria Euthymiou, and Anna Karamanli.