Fluidity as concerns reshuffle and election issues

George Papandreou and Defense Minister Evangelos Venizelos will meet in the office of the Prime Minister in the House. The meeting was requested by Mr. Papandreou.

Given that the PASOK parliamentary group meeting is going to take place at 16:30, the two men’s discussion acquires great significance, since it is expected to be the starting point for political developments.

The Prime minister is in a feverish series of contacts with top party executives in view of the Parliamentary Group meeting.

Among others, Mr. Papandreou will have already met with Christos Papoutsis, Anna Diamantopoulou, Michalis Chrisohoidis, Kostas Skandalidis etc.

The rapid inter-party developments, with the members’ movement to challenge the PM and ask for this meeting, have frozen all processes of a cabinet reshuffle.

The Prime Minister’s associates have now prioritized tackling insurgency in the group, while at the same time are pressed for time in order to complete the reshuffle puzzle.

The availability of members willing to enter the government as top officials in order to assume critical posts is doubtful at best in this fluid, ever-changing environment.

In this light, the finalization of the reshuffle is almost impossible, even though some of the Prime Minister’s decisions on certain positions are considered a given.

The nomenclature

However, the information refers to the following changes, if the reshuffle takes place:

First, the economy team changes, perhaps even in structure. George Papakonstantinou leaves the Treasury -without being certain of being assigned another ministry - and he is to be replaced either by Evangelos Venizelos (the favorite) or another “big name” member such as Anna Diamantopoulou. Mr. Papandreou would like to take advantage of Loukas Papadimos but there are no such signs in the horizon.

The economy team will be joined by at least one top banking executive specialized in privatizations, such as Vasilis Rapanos, Apostolos Tamvakakis, Nikos Karamouzis or Giannis Stournaras.

The retirement of Theodoros Pagkalos from the post of vice president has also been put on the table, even though no one can confirm any information hinting at such a decision.

If Mr. Pagkalos leaves his post, Dimitris Reppas is a possible replacement, while some have put forth Mr. Venizelos’ name.

Thirdly, the retirements of Pavlos Geroulanos and Tina Birbili are a given. Mr. Geroulanos is expected to assume the post of State Minister for Communications, while the fate of the latter’s post is yet unknown.

Michalis Chrisohoidis is expected to take on the Environment Ministry.

Andreas Loverdos will probably be assigned social security along with the Health Ministry.

Kostas Skandalidis will remain in the government and will possibly be “upgraded”, possibly to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

If Mr. Venizelos leaves the Defense Ministry, his potential successors are George Papakonstantinou and Christos Papoutsis. If Papoutsis leaves the Ministry of Citizen Protection, his position will probably be filled by Panos Beglitis.

Positions within the reformed government are also being claimed by Christos Protopapas, Elias Mossialos, Elena Panariti and others.