The basic decisions for the upcoming changes in the government formation by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis appear to have been made, according to sources, with the relevant announcements to be made after the election of Konstantinos Kyranakis to the position of New Democracy secretary.
The central figure of the changes appears to be government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, who, according to parapolitika.gr sources, will assume the position of deputy minister of Transport, succeeding Konstantinos Kyranakis.
Mini reshuffle: The Marinakis choice for Transport ministry
According to parapolitika.gr sources, Kyriakos Mitsotakis informed his close associate of his intention to assign him one of the government’s most crucial portfolios. The rationale behind this choice relates to Pavlos Marinakis’s track record to date, having served for three consecutive years on the front line of government representation, preceded by his tenure as secretary of New Democracy’s Political Committee.
Government officials note that the current government spokesperson successfully responded to all the missions assigned to him, which led the prime minister to decide to entrust him with the critical Transport sector.
Difficult equation replacing him
Pavlos Marinakis’s move automatically creates a vacancy in the government spokesperson position, with the Maximos Mansion already examining alternative solutions.
According to the same sources, a strong scenario has Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos moving to Maximos Mansion, assuming duties as government spokesperson and an enhanced role in the government’s communications coordination ahead of the next electoral contest.
Such a choice, however, would leave the Development ministry position vacant, requiring new intervention in the government formation.
Final decisions are expected to be made by the prime minister himself in the coming days.
Hatzivasiliou’s return to government
The return of Serres MP Tasos Hatzivasiliou to the government formation is considered almost certain. According to sources, the most likely scenario has him assuming the position of deputy foreign minister with responsibility for European affairs ahead of Greece’s presidency of the European Union in 2027.
Candidates for Environment and Energy Ministry
Meanwhile, covering the deputy minister of Environment and Energy position remains pending, which was left vacant after the loss of Nikos Tagaras.
According to sources, among the names being considered are Ioannina MP Giorgos Amyras, who has already served in the Environment Ministry, as well as Pella MP Dionysis Stamenitsis, a civil engineer with studies in environmental policy. The prime minister’s final decisions are expected in the coming days, with the government staff preparing for a targeted reshuffle that will also mark the beginning of the government’s pre-election preparation.
Pavlos Marinakis: Thursday the reshuffle
“I have the sense that on Thursday, that is after the election, God willing, of our new Secretary, who we hope will be Konstantinos Kyranakis, because this still needs to be ratified by the Political Committee, we’re talking about election not assignment or appointment anyway, the prime minister will announce the names that will replace the new Secretary in the crucial post of deputy transport minister and let me say once again condolences to the family of our good friend and emblematic figure, with his quiet work, Nikos Tagaras and of course to say from this same podium, I wrote it yesterday too, condolences to the family of Giorgos Souflias,” said government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis on Saturday morning speaking to SKAI.
