Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides is expected to announce a cabinet reshuffle in the coming days, with Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou set to leave her post after accepting an appointment in public education.
Antoniou confirmed that Panayiotou’s departure was the first confirmed cabinet change, while declining to comment on other potential appointments or removals.
Panayiotou’s departure
“With great certainty, at the moment the fact we have before us is that the Agriculture Ministry will have to be replaced,” Antoniou said.
Panayiotou was appointed to a teaching position starting in September. She said she had informed the president that she remained available to continue as minister if required.
“All ministers, from the moment we take office, know that we are here with an expiration date,” she said.
Other cabinet positions
According to local media, Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades is among the ministers whose future in the cabinet has been the subject of speculation.
Speaking to Alpha, Vafeades said the president would decide whether he remained in government.
“We are soldiers. We will play ball until the president tells us,” Vafeades said this week.
Diko participation
Diko has also held discussions with the president over its participation in the government following the parliamentary elections.
The party currently holds three ministerial positions through Finance Minister Makis Keravnos, Energy Minister Michalis Damianos and Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides.
