Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 15-01-26

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Tsipras' new government plans to merge ministries, rename others

[02] Potami leader Theodorakis says he's cautious ahead of SYRIZA's plan

[03] As of now Greece has a government, ANEL leader Kammenos says

[01] Tsipras' new government plans to merge ministries, rename others

In particular, the new ministry of Interior and Administrative Reform will merge the authorities of the ministry of Interior, of Administrative Reform and E-governance, of Public Order and Citizen Protection and of Macedonia and Thrace.

The new Economy, Infrastructure, Shipping and Tourism ministry will merge the services and authorities of the ministries of Development and Competitiveness, of Shipping and Aegean, of Tourism and of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks.

The new ministry of Production Reform, Environment and Energy, will merge the ministries of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, of Agricultural Reform and Food and the services of the General Secretariat of Industry of the Development and Competitiveness ministry.

The government will also form the ministry of Culture, Education and Religious Affairs under which it will include the authorities and services of the ministry of Culture and Sports, as well as Education and Religious Affairs.

In addition, the ministry of Health will be renamed ministry of Health and Social Security and the ministry of Labour, Social Security and Welfare will be renamed ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity. The General Secretariat of Social Security will be transferred from the ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity to the ministry of Health and Social Security.

Finally, all the authorities, jobs and staff of the merging ministries will be transferred to the new ones.

[02] Potami leader Theodorakis says he's cautious ahead of SYRIZA's plan

Theodorakis noted his party is willing to participate in a national negotiating team, but he first wants to see what it is that SYRIZA wants to negotiate about, the main priorities of the party and also make sure Greece heads to the negotiations united and with a plan.

He also said Potami wants to help the government provided that its positions don't jeopardise Greece's place in the European Union.

"There are some reservations and some points of agreement," Theodorakis said, adding that it will be best to wait for the government's real proposals before making any statements.

[03] As of now Greece has a government, ANEL leader Kammenos says

In statements after his meeting with Tsipras on Monday morning he stated: "I want to announce that from this moment there is a government in the country. The Independent Greeks give a vote of confidence to Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras".

Regarding the composition of the new Cabinet, Kammenos said that "the prime minister will announce it".

At a query on the target of the new government, Kammenos said that the aim is for Greeks to move ahead united and with respect for the national sovereignty, the operation of democracy and the Constitution.

Kammenos will hold a ministerial post in SYRIZA's coalition government and does not intend to ask to be appointed as government Vice-President, according to ANEL sources.

The same sources said that the debt issue will be the top priority.

The same sources spoke of a "small cabinet" with 10 ministers, a few alternate and deputy ministers", which will often convene.

They also noted that Kammenos referred to the vote of confidence to SYRIZA so that the country is not ungoverned and added that the so-called Thessaloniki programme forms the basis of the two parties' cooperation agreement.

They also noted that "the issue of the Greek President has been closed, where there seems to be an agreement", that "ANEL's red lines on national issues will be respected" and that "there is good chemistry and trust between Tsipras and Kammenos."

"We will not govern with blackmails but with sincere and public positions," the same sources said.

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