Greek PM reshuffles cabinet to deal with debt crisis

ATHENS - Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou reshuffled his cabinet early Tuesday in an effort to tackle the country’s debt crisis.

Government spokesman Giorgos Petalotis made the announcement, saying that new ministers will take over the labour, economy, health and agriculture ministries. The new ministers are to be sworn in on at noon Tuesday.

Finance Minister Giorgos Papaconstantinou, who is at the centre of negotiations between the European Union and International Monetary Fund (IMF) in exchange for a 110-billion-euro bailout programme, will remain unchanged.

Papandreou, who won elections less than a year ago, made the changes in an effort to boost competitiveness and economic growth as well as deal with problem areas such as social security and public health.

The prime minister took advantage of municipal elections across the country on November 7 to make the necessary changes to government, after three deputy ministers said they would run for local office and needed to be replaced.