Papandreou Stresses Law and Order in Cabinet Reshuffle
Greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou reshuffled his Cabinet on Thursday, bringing in, among others, a former army general to toughen law-and-order measures in Athens.
After widespread criticism over the April 8 shooting in broad daylight of a Greek steel magnate, the 68-year-old Socialist leader appointed Antonis Drosoyannis as public order minister.
Papandreou also separated the public order and interior ministries, admitting that joining them in a shuffle last July had not worked.
“The ministers who are leaving did not fail, but from time to time there is a need for change and giving a chance to new people,” Papandreou told reporters.
In the three other changes, Papandreou dropped the defense portfolio he had held himself and appointed Vice President Yannis Haralambopoulos to the job.
He named Antonis Tritsis as education minister and Marcos Natsinas as industry, technology and energy minister.
Papandreou, who won a second term last summer, kept his economic team intact.
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