Some new faces in cabinet reshuffle

The government has announced the latest Cabinet shuffle by President Nicos Anastasiades, with a combination of current office holders appointed to new posts and the appearance of some new faces.

A statement issued by the Presidential Palace on Sunday said Anastasiades, who is serving his second term in office, had decided to move forward with a shuffle of his Cabinet in accordance with the executive power vested in him by the Constitution.

According to the Cyprus News Agency, new Ministers will officially take over their posts on Tuesday and newly appointed Commissioners on Wednesday.

Constantinos Petrides, who is currently serving as Interior Minister will take over the Finance Ministry, replacing Harris Georgiades who had announced earlier this year his plans to step down.

Nicos Nouris, a Nicosia MP with ruling party DISY, will be the new interior minister, while Prodromos Prodromou, who has been serving as government spokesman, is taking charge of the Education Ministry.

Attorney Kyriacos Koushos is appointed new Government Spokesman while Panayiotis Sentonas, who has been serving as Youth Board of Cyprus Chairman, is appointed Deputy Government Spokesman.

Current Ayia Napa Mayor Yiannis Karousos is taking the helms at the transport ministry. Karousos made headlines earlier this year when he complained that nobody from his district in Famagusta was serving in the government at top level.

Outgoing Education Minister Costas Hambiaouris will become the new Commissioner for the Development of Mountain Communities, following the resignation of Yiannakis Papadouris last week.

Current Deputy Government Spokeswoman Klelia Vasiliou will become Environment Commissioner.

After the reshuffle, Labour Minister Zeta Emilianidou will be the only female serving in the Cabinet after she took office in 2013.