The reshuffles are usually unannounced, but the gestation period is not only heralded, but tends to…spill over before it’s even fully revealed. Journalistic curiosity always heightens interest, but now ministers have also “picked up the pencils”, with the exception of those who know with certainty that they will not be moved. In any case, tomorrow is still the most critical day for the manifestation of the Prime Minister‘s initiatives, which have yet to be fully formed.

Today’s day, which includes the swearing in of Kosta Tasoulas as President of the Republic is in fact ruled out, both because of its symbolism and because of Mitsotakis’ busy schedule.

At 17:00, Mitsotakis will meet with ESM Managing Director Pierre Gramenia at the Maximos Mansion, while at 18:00 he will receive Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sha’ar, who is visiting the country for the trilateral meeting at foreign minister level between Greece-Israel and Cyprus. In this sense, it is considered more likely that the reshuffle will take place on Friday and the swearing in of the new ministers on the afternoon of the same day or Saturday morning.

50-50

As yesterday, Mitsotakis’ dilemma still involves the finance minister post left vacant by Kostis Hatzidakis moving to the Maximou Mansion as vice president. According to protothema.gr, it is still a 50-50 chance between current Education Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis and Environment and Energy Minister Theodore Skylakakis.

While Pierrakakis is a minister with high popularity and a proven ability to solve complex problems, so a move to Nikis Street could potentially add a touch of “positive surprise” to the reshuffle, but his case triggers more changes as he will have to be replaced by the Education Ministry. The name of Sofia Zacharaki has been floated for the post, and Irene Agapidaki from the Social Cohesion and Family Ministry has been floated to replace her.

And Theodoros Skylakakis is a person with long-standing proximity to both Mr. Mitsotakis and Kostis Hatzidakis and is considered reliable and knowledgeable about the portfolio, but has limited “passage” in society and a strictly technocratic profile. Of course, if Mr Skylakakis does not go to Finance, there is an open possibility that he may find himself out of government if he moves from Energy.

The “exes”

The complex exercise for Mitsotakis is not limited to the face of the economy’s “czar”. Another “tough” duopoly is that of Makis Voridis and Stavros Papastavrou. Voridis is considered difficult to keep in the Maximou building, especially given the strong presence of Hatzidakis. On the other hand, Stavros Papastavrou is increasingly being heard about the Ministry of Environment and Energy in recent hours, narrowing down a possible “destination” for Mr. Voridis in the event of his departure from the close-knit core of M.M.. The case in question remains open.

Meanwhile, there is a group of former ministers who left in the previous reshuffle or in the post-election rotation who expect to rejoin the government. The list includes Notis Mitarakis, Kosta Skreka, Thanos Plevris and Dimitris Kairidis. According to a competent source, not all expectations will be met, as the available positions are certainly for the Ministry of Infrastructure, Civil Protection and possibly Immigration, if not “locked” in the Voridis-Papastavrou duo. Notably, Vassilis Kikilias has already…charted a course for the Ministry of Shipping.

“We are judged by the result”

Mitsotakis, however, sent from the swimming pool in the Olympic Village yesterday a message about the government’s political stance. “This project absolutely certifies that ultimately any government is judged not by its intentions but ultimately by its results,” the prime minister said, indicating that the core of the mission and the persons who will take over in the reshuffle will be efficiency, against the natural deterioration of the government, which was also accelerated by the Tempi affair.