Cyprus President-elect announces first names in his Cabinet

President-elect Nicos Anastasiades announced Monday the names of the Ministers of Finance and Foreign Affairs to serve in his new Cabinet.

Michalis Sarris is the new Finance Minister whereas Ioannis Kasoulides will serve as Foreign Minister. Anastasiades also announced that Nobel Prize laureate Christoforos Pissarides will head up the new Economic Policy Council, an advisory body to the President.

Both Sarris and Kasoulides have served as Ministers under the government of late Tassos Papadopoulos and former President Glafkos Clerides respectively.

Sarris, 66, was appointed Finance Minister in 2005 until 2008 whereas MEP Kasoulides, 64, has served as Foreign Minister between 1997-2003.

Pissarides has proposed Anastasiades’ candidacy last January.

Speaking to the media at the headquarters of Democratic Rally (DISY) in Nicosia, Anastasiades recalled his previous statements that his first priority following his election, would be to deal with the finance problems Cyprus is faced with and in particular the loan agreement to be signed with the Troika (EC, ECB and IMF).

He expressed his certainty that the experience and knowledge of the new Ministers and the Head of the new Economic Council confirm that he very well means all the things he declares for. Furthermore, he said that the new appointments send firm messages to our European partners that we are determine to deal with Cyprus’ economic situation.
President–elect noted that the consultations for the new administration will continue Tuesday and most probably Wednesday with DHKO President –who backed his candidacy- as well as other political parties.

In his statements, Pissarides said that the new Economic Policy Council will be an advisory body to the President and will cooperate with the Finance Ministry and the Central Bank.

He also acknowledged that the Council has a very difficult task ahead of it. He expressed his determination to work hard for the interest of the country.

Nicos Anastasiades, president of the right wing Democratic Rally (DISY) party, won Sunday’s presidential elections with 57.48% of the vote. He received 236.965 votes in the run off election. His rival Stavros Malas, backed by left wing AKEL party, secured 42.52% or 175.267 votes.