New Greek PM sworn in, announces cabinet

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-10-07 10:34

Greek Prime Minister-elect George Papandreou (R) swears in during a ceremony in Athens, capital of Greece, Oct 6, 2009. Papandreou, leader of Greece's main opposition Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) party that won a landslide victory in Sunday's general elections, was given a mandate Monday to form a government by Greek President Karolos Papoulias.[Xinhua]

ATHENS: George Papandreou, head of the Greek socialist's PASOK party which triumphed in Sunday's general elections, was sworn in Tuesday morning as Greece's new prime minister, and he announced new cabinet late afternoon.

Papandreou was sworn in by Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece, in the presence of President of the Hellenic Republic Karolos Papoulias.

A few moments later, the new premier paid a short and moving visit to his predecessor, Costas Karamanlis at the Maximou mansion, which is the official government headquarters, for the official handover.

They exchanged a warm handshake amid the cheers of PASOK's followers and Karamanlis congratulated Papandreou and wished him "all the best for the benefit of the country."

The new prime minister replied with the best wishes for the recovery of Karamanlis' mother, who was admitted to the hospital yesterday.

Greek Prime Minister-elect George Papandreou signs the mandate document during a swear-in ceremony in Athens, capital of Greece, Oct 6, 2009. [Xinhua]

Late afternoon, Papandreou announced the composition of his cabinet - 14 ministries, with nine women included.The new government will be sworn in on Wednesday morning.

George Papandreou chose new faces in politics, as well as experienced veterans, and fulfilled his promise for "a lean and effective government" which will be sworn in and take office Wednesday morning.

The new prime minister kept for himself the portfolio of the Foreign Ministry. Papandreou has served as a foreign minister in the past.

Former Foreign Minister Theodoros Pagalos was appointed vice president of the government.

Member of Parliament Louka Katseli is the new minister of economy, competitiveness and shipping, while the ruling party's spokesman Giorgos Papaconstantinou takes over the separate Finance Ministry. Economy dominated the campaign and will be top priority of the new government, as Greece has been badly struck by the global financial crisis.

Marking his will for cooperation with other political parties and emphasis on 'green economy,' Papandreou proposed the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change to Nikos Chrisogelos, the head of the Ecologists-Greens which didn't enter parliament, but he denied.

Among others, former Justice Minister Evangelos Venizelos is the new minister of defense, former European Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou is the new minister of education, while former actress and member of parliament Angela Gerekou is the new undersecretary in the ministry of culture and tourism.

In the meantime, in the main opposition party of New Democracy, Thessaloniki's prefect Panagiotis Psomiadis said this morning that they will contest the leadership of the party. It's the first candidacy for the role.