Two of the government’s most high-profile members, Economy and Finance Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis and spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, hit back at criticism aimed at them in recent days as speculation grew about what the prime minister plans to do to get New Democracy out of the crisis it is in.

Roussopoulos, who is also minister of state, was asked whether he could continue to be the man behind the government’s public relations after the criticism he has received recently. The spokesman, whose wife has just retired from journalism after critics said the couple’s positions were incompatible, responded by underlining that the government’s work was a team effort.

“My strategic goal is the same as the strategic goal we all have as ministers – to do our jobs as best as possible,” he said before quashing rumors that Premier Costas Karamanlis is about to change his mind and conduct a Cabinet reshuffle or call a vote of confidence in Parliament.

“It’s not possible for the government spokesman to respond to the fantasies of any given person,” said Roussopoulos.

Alogoskoufis, who has also been in the line of fire after introducing some unpopular new tax measures, said that he was only focused on doing his job.

“I believe that I have to continue looking at the real problems of the economy and the country, because if we do not solve the actual problems of the economy and society the citizens will pay the cost.”

Meanwhile, it emerged yesterday that the two offshore companies linked to former Merchant Marine Minister Giorgos Voulgarakis are also shareholders in Alpha TV.