With the new gov’t sworn in, time for the tough stuff
The most interesting and spontaneous stage of a general election is the swearing-in of the new government. This column has seen many governments of different political persuasions sworn in over the years. First the prime minister, then ministers and deputy ministers, with those who can reach it placing a hand on the Bible, the others on the shoulder of the person in front, swear to uphold the Constitution and the laws in the presence of the Greek president. The atmosphere in the Presidential Palace is imposing, with lighted candles and a faint aroma of incense. Even the wall of journalists straining behind the rope fell silent for the entrance of the Holy Synod delegation led by Bishop Prokopios of Nea Krini and Kalamaria, who was standing in for Christodoulos, Archbishop of Athens and all Greece. At 11.05, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis arrived, with a youthful stride, awaiting President Karolos Papoulias, who arrived minutes later. The prime minister was sworn in, crossed himself, and took his place next to the president. Suddenly, as if in response to a signal, the hall filled with ministers, led by Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Dora Bakoyannis – looking radiant – Giorgos Alogoskoufis, Evangelos Meimarakis, Vassilis Magginas, Dimitris Avramopoulos and Theodoros Roussopoulos, all of whom have retained their ministries. Not far behind, amid the crowd of new ministers and deputy ministers came Giorgos Souflias in a festive fuchsia tie, who has retained his deputies Themistoklis Xanthopoulos and Stavros Kaloyiannis at the Ministry of the Environment, Physical Planning and Public Works. In the limelight were the upgraded Christos Folias (Development), Evripidis Stylianidis (Education), Alexandros Kontos (Agricultural Development), and the tall, elegant men in dark suits, Michalis Liapis (Culture) and Giorgos Voulgarakis (Merchant Marine and Island Policy). The cameras also flashed for new ministers: the young, slightly graying Aris Spiliotopoulos (Tourism), Costis Hatzidakis (Transport), who came from the European Parliament «with three degrees from my experience with the methodical Europeans,» and the former mayor of Drama, Margaritis Tzimas (Macedonia-Thrace). Then there was Sotiris Hatzigakis (Justice), a littler older than the crop of new deputy ministers in their 40s, whom we are pleased to see in the government. When his turn came to sign, Economy and Finance Minister Giorgos Alogoskoufis heaved a deep sigh, perhaps because of what is in store for him. When the ink in the official pen ran out, he asked, «Are they trying to save money on ink?» and produced his own pen for Bakoyannis to sign. Good luck to all of them. Now it’s time to get to grips with the tough stuff.
