Issue No.
13369
Dimitris Avramopoulos
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Yiannis Vroutsis
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Kostis Hatzidakis
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Nikos Dendias
NEW Democracy leader Antonis Samaras may have tried to strike political balances in announcing his shadow cabinet on December 13, but erstwhile rival Dora Bakoyannis’ refusal to accept the portfolio offered her made clear that the rift between the two will not be overcome easily.
Samaras personally called Bakoyannis on December 14 to offer her the combined education and cultural portfolio. The former foreign minister immediately rejected the offer, reportedly saying that there are younger MPs better suited for the post.
Days earlier, Bakoyannis had turned down Samaras’ invitation to accompany him to a meeting of the conservative European Popular Party in Germany. She said she was suffering from an ear infection.
While Samaras kept the economy portfolio for himself and gave the foreign affairs portfolio to Dimitris Avramopoulos, whose support was crucial in Samaras’ campaign, the ND leader made sure to enlist key supporters of Bakoyannis.
Thus, the development and competitiveness portfolio was given to Kostis Hatzidakis, the former development minister and staunch Bakoyannis supporter. The citizen protection portfolio was given to former justice minister Nikos Dendias, another Bakoyannis supporter.
Key portfolios
Dimitris Avramopoulos
Foreign affairs
A former career diplomat who entered the foreign service when Konstantinos Mitsotakis was foreign minister. He claims partial credit for the “earthquake diplomacy” when he was Athens mayor and both Istanbul and Athens were hit by major quakes.
Kostis Hatzidakis
Development and competitiveness
Former development minister who privatised Olympics and is known as an avid free-market liberal.
Nikos Dendias
Citizen protection
Former hardline justice minister who introduced a law meting out harsh penalties for crimes committed with one’s identity concealed (hoods etc).
Yiannis Vroutsis
Labour and social insurance
Hitherto little-known Cyclades Islands MP. Graduate of Economic University of Athens, former finance ministry employee and member of board of ministry tax inspectors and former Vyronas (Athens) city council member.
ATHENS NEWS 08/03/2010, page: 8
