Kyriakos Mitsotakis was sworn in as Greece’s Prime Minister for a second term on Monday afternoon, after his party achieved a landslide victory on Sunday’s general elections.
With 99.7% of the vote counted, Mitsotakis’ New Democracy party had 40.55% — more than twice the 17.84% garnered by left-wing opposition party SYRIZA. It was the largest margin of victory in a Greek election in a half-century.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Presidential Palace in Athens, in the presence of Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Archbishop Ieronymos.
Mitsotakis then walked to the Maximos Mansion, the official seat of the prime minister, where he met with outgoing caretaker premier Ioannis Sarmas, to officially begin his new term.
In a televised meeting with Sakellaropoulou, Mitsotakis said he has “committed to implement major, deeply-needed reforms over the next four years, (and) have a strong mandate to do that.”
Mitsotakis also spoke with Sakellaropoulou about the “surprise” election showings by four marginal parties — three from the far right and one from the far left. Their entry raises the number of political groups represented in Parliament from five to eight.
“I think our democracy is mature enough to handle whatever temporary turbulence (ensues),” he said.
New ministerial cabinet announced:
New government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis announced the new ministerial cabinet of Mitsotakis on Monday.
The new Greek Cabinet largely rotated key members of Mitsotakis’ previous government.
Nikos Dendias, who previously served as the foreign minister, has now taken up the role of Defence Minister. Similarly, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, the former minister of digital governance, has assumed the responsibilities of the education minister.
Giorgios Gerapetritis, a trusted ally of Mitsotakis, has been appointed as the foreign minister, while Kostis Hatzidakis has been named as the finance minister.
The former education minister, Niki Kerameus, has transitioned into the role of interior minister, replacing Makis Voridis, who now holds a ministerial position of state.
Full Cabinet:
- Prime Minister: Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Ministers: - Finance: Kostis Hatzidakis (Alt. Minister: Nikos Papathanasis; Dep. Minister for Tax Policy: Harry Theoharis; Dep. Minister: Thanos Petralias).
- Foreign Affairs: Giorgos Gerapetritis.
- Defence: Nikos Dendias.
- Justice: Giorgos Floridis.
- Labor: Adonis Georgiadis.
- Development: Kostas Skrekas.
- Civil Protection: Vassilis Kikilias.
- Education: Kyriakos Pierrakakis (Alt. Minister for Sports: Giannis Economou).
- Health: Michalis Chrysochoidis (Alt. Minister: Eirini Agapidaki).
- Energy & Environment: Theodoros Skylakakis.
- Culture: Lina Mendoni.
- Interior: Niki Kerameus (Alt. Minister: Theodoros Livanios).
- Digital Governance: Dimitris Papastergiou.
- Infrastructure & Transport: Christos Staikouras.
- Maritime & Island Policy: Miltiadis Varvitsiotis.
- Agriculture: Lefteris Avgenakis.
- Tourism: Olga Kefalogianni.
- Migration: Dimitris Keridis.
- Citizen Protection: Notis Mitarakis.
- Social Cohesion & Family: Sofia Zacharaki.
Source: AP News.
