Nicosia, Cyprus. Edek has not been informed of any intention by Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou to leave the government, either by Panayiotou or the administration, party spokesman Giorgos Georgiou said on Friday.
Deputy government spokesman Yiannis Antoniou had earlier said Panayiotou would leave the government to take up a role in the education sector.
Edek’s position
Georgiou said Edek’s objective since the government took office in 2023 has been to have party ministers in the administration to implement the government programme.
He said the matter had been discussed at recent meetings between outgoing Edek leader Nikos Anastasiou and President Nikos Christodoulides, adding that the party intends to remain in government.
Education appointment
Panayiotou, a philology teacher, was included on the Educational Service Commission’s list of appointees for teaching positions beginning in September.
Cabinet reshuffle speculation
Rumours of a cabinet reshuffle have circulated since the parliamentary elections in May, when Edek and fellow government-supporting party Dipa lost all their seats in the House.
Diko, which holds eight parliamentary seats and is the only government-supporting party represented in the legislature, is believed to be seeking a larger role in the government.
Three ministries are currently led by Diko members: Finance Minister Makis Keravnos, Energy Minister Michael Damianos and Health Minister Neophytos Charalambides.
Dipa and Edek control three ministries between them. Labour Minister Marinos Mousiouttas and Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas belong to Dipa, while Panayiotou is Edek’s sole minister.
Edek had expressed dissatisfaction with Christodoulides’ previous cabinet reshuffle in November, when no new Edek ministers were appointed.
