Caretaker Prime Minister sworn in ahead of Greece’s second elections

·

Senior judge, Ioannis Sarmas, was sworn in as Greece’s caretaker Prime Minister on Thursday, ahead of the country’s new national elections to be held in about a month.

According to Ekathimerini, Sarmas was sworn in at the Presidential Mansion in the presence of Greece’s President Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

Sarmas will head a 16-member caretaker government, in which a former Greek ambassador to the United States, Vassilios Kaskarelis, will be Foreign Minister. The key finance ministry will be headed by economist Theodore Pelagidis, deputy governor of Greece’s central bank.

Swearing in ceremony. Photos: Intime News.

The senior judge is taking over from center-right Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who won a landslide victory in parliamentary elections on May 21 but was unable to form a majority government.

The leaders of the top three political parties in Greece – Mitsotakis, SYRIZA’s Alexis Tsipras, and PASOK’s Nikos Androulakis – all turned down the exploratory mandates to form a government.

New elections will be held, with June 25 seen as the likeliest date, under a different electoral system which gives the first party up to 50 extra seats in Parliament. Mitsotakis hopes that vote will secure him a governing majority.

READ MORE: Here’s how Greeks in Australia voted during Greece’s national elections.

Source: Ekathimerini and AP News.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Capturing legacies: The proika exhibition’s emotional tribute to Greek migrants

On Wednesday, November 20, the proika exhibition opened to a crowd of eager guests at the Thematikos x MBO Tailors creative space.

Golden Era Gala: A reunion with a cause to combat brain and rare cancers

White Pearl Foundation and Cquence Foundation have announced the Golden Era Gala to be held at the Hyatt Regency Sydney on November 30.

Melbourne scientist Steven Petratos offers hope to thousands with multiple sclerosis

The image of Steven Petratos’ grandfather, confined to a chair with trembling hands, left an indelible mark on his childhood.

Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett to launch book on Nick Thyssen’s legacy

Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett, supporter of Greece and its diaspora, will launch the biography of Nick Thyssen (Nikos Theodosiadis).

Ithacans in Melbourne enjoy sell-out film screening to support archaeological preservation

On Sunday, at Palace Como in Melbourne, a sell-out crowd of 135 Ithacans and friends gathered to see the historical epic, The Return.

You May Also Like

Expatriate Vote: The journey of expatriate Greeks continues

The participation of the people in the emergence of a government characterizes democracy and parliamentarism.

From orphan in Greece to restaurateur in Australia – The tragic story behind a beautiful painting

“When my kids and my family visit the club, we can see the painting and know that it’s still around and know that my dad is still around as well.”

Greek Minister of Interior: ‘The Greek diaspora is a pillar of preservation of our history’

The Greek Herald speaks exclusively with Greek Minister of Interior, Makis Voridis, about the upcoming expatriate vote and elections.