Former armed forces chief and ex Defense Minister under SYRIZA, Evangelos Apostolakis, has turned down the post of heading Greece’s new Civil Protection Ministry following a cabinet reshuffle announced on Tuesday, media report early afternoon.
Apostolakis’ appointment triggered an outrage with SYRIZA that criticized the conservative Prime Minister that he attempted an under the table so-called “co-governance” with the left-wing.
Note that government sources told media that with Apostolakis’ appointment there were efforts for a cross-party appointment and that SYRIZA and KINAL were informed in advance.
In a statement two hours after the government spokesman announced the new ministers’ names, Apostolakis announced that he will not accept the post. He added that he thought his appointment was in consent with SYRIZA.
Apostolakis had served as defense minister under the SYRIZA government from January until July 2019, when the party lost the elections to conservative New Democracy.
According to latest media information, the Fire Service remains in the Ministry for Citizen Protection and the Civil protection is run by the secretary general of Civil Protection until a new minister is appointed.
UPDATE:
Furious about the reshuffle flop, the government called the ex head of Greek Armed Forces a… coward!
“Mr. Apostolakis proved that he is not up to the task. He showed cowardice in the face of Syriza’s threats. He yielded to the party and withdrew from the call to serve his country. A shame for his legacy.”
PS I think it is the first time in the history of modern Greece that a cabinet reshuffle turns into a mega fiasco.
Jeee, you would think that an appointment to such an important position would a) involve getting the best man/woman for the job and b) that it doesn’t matter from which party this person is from and that person “stands above the parties”.
That they now rolling over the floor fighting political battles means that the politicians don’t give a rat’s *ss about protecting civilians.
This is just one politician. It is still a shame that he is so partisan because he is so stellar.
However, he is also not the only one who can fill that roll either and ,in light of his decline, may not be the very best one either.