Greek PM Shakes Up Cabinet, Appoints Controversial Hardliner As Migration Minister

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has reorganized his cabinet in a bid to restore public confidence after criticism over the response of his government to the 2023 train disaster which claimed the lives of 57 individuals. One of the most contentious appointments is that of Makis Voridis, an ex-far-right student activist, who now heads the ministry of migration.

The shake-up was hailed by officials as a “substantial renewal” to shore up the centre-right government, which has seen ongoing protests and falling popularity. Mitsotakis also appointed younger officials to senior roles, such as Christos Dimas as transport minister. Dimas, who has taught in the UK, will be in charge of long-awaited safety reforms for Greece’s beleaguered rail network. Also, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, a US-educated computer scientist, was made finance minister, a signal that the government will seek to modernize economic policy.

But political commentators say the reshuffle is also a tactical bid to shore up Mitsotakis’s base in his New Democracy party. European affairs specialist Yannis Koutsomitis said it is a signal of a tougher line on immigration and a move in line with conservative policies popular in Europe and the US.

Voridis, 60, has a checkered history, having headed the youth organization of a far-right party created by a former dictator. A hardliner, he has in the past referred to Muslim migrants as a threat to the social fabric of Greece. His appointment has been strongly criticized by opposition parties and rights groups.

Left-wing Syriza criticized the reshuffle as “an insult to Greek society,” and anti-racist group Keerfa cautioned that it was a turn toward far-right policies. General elections are not scheduled until 2027, and analysts feel Mitsotakis has time yet to rebuild public trust, but there are doubts about whether the changes will suffice to stem public outrage.