Argument over Shipping Ministry Prompts Papandreou’s Close Aide to Resign tagged: , , , , ,

Argument over Shipping Ministry Prompts Papandreou’s Close Aide to Resign

Posted by keeptalkinggreece in Politics

This came suddenly and unexpected. Alternate Minister of Development Haris Pampoukis submitted his resignation to Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou on Thursday after an argument over the Ministry of Merchant Marine, a Ministry that is being established and abolished since years. Two days ago Pampoukis, responsible for  Development, Competitiveness and Shipping, proposed to re-start a separate and autonomous Ministry, whereas it was he himself personally who had abolished the ministry in October 2009! In his resignation  Pampoukis stressed he could not understand why the ministry is not being established when all parties concerned request it. Currently most authorities related to shipping and coastguard are attached to Citizen’s Protection ministry.

Prime Minister George Papandreou opposed the idea. 

Haris Pampoukis was responsible for Investments until the late government reshuffle last June. His efforts to bring big scale investments from Qatarhad not bring the expected results. Qatar had cancelled its investment in Astakos port, the investement in the old Athens airport Hellinikon was stuck. Nevertheless due to disagreements between the various ministers involved.

Pampoukis was a close aide to Papandreou. Now, I bet, Papandreou just let him go….  

The issue shows so not only the grave mistakes in handling with the structures and responsibilities of ministries, but also the delight of our politicians to experiments.