Last minute changes in the new government

Last night was full of surprises for all PASOK MPs and members. For some the surprises were good and for some they were bad. Some government members managed to stay in the government team literally at the last minute, whereas others were left with hopes unfulfilled.

In the first category we could include Mr.Pangalos; although in the beginning it was said that he would be left out of the government team, he managed to save himself but has to share the position with Mr.Venizelos, the new power player of the government. So Dimitris Reppas, the most likely candidate for the Vice-Precidency, was left out.

For Mr.Papakostantinou the decision was ultimately that he would move to the less “dangerous” Ministry of the Environment instead of the ministries of Foreign Affairs or Defense, which were in the initial scenario.

Mrs Louka Katseli is out of the team, since she declined the Ministry of Agriculture, and Kostas Skandalidis has remained where he was although he hoped for an upgrade.

Another disappointed member was Mr.Petalotis, who was hoping for the Ministry of Justice, as well as other members such as Petros Efthimiou, Christos Protopapas, Kostas Kartalis and Elena Panariti, all of whom were aiming for a Ministry.

Mr. Loukas Papadimas declined when asked to be part of the new government and according to sources, even switched his mobile phone off so that no one could reach him, whilst Apostolos Tamvakakis and Vasilis Rapanos of the National Bank declined the positions they were offered.

However, it is quite clear that this government reshuflle was carried out for internal reasons, in order to control leaks, damage and disappointed “barons” and top members of PASOK.