New government sworn in Greece

November 11th, 2011 - 11:03 pm ICT by IANS  

Athens, Nov 11 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Greece’s new coalition government, led by former European Central Bank vice president Lucas Papademos, was sworn in Friday.

The ceremony, led by Hieronymos II, the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, saw the 49 cabinet members swear to uphold the constitution.

Papademos was named the new Greek prime minister Thursday. He replaced George Papandreou, who announced Wednesday he was resigning after a disastrous call for a referendum on the eurozone rescue package.

The new premier announced that his government will be transitional and focus on securing European Union bailout tranches.

The government was formed by members of three parties - the center-left PASOK party, the center-right New Democracy party and small ultra-right Laos party.

The New Democracy appointed seven its members to key ministerial posts, including foreign and defence ministers. Four ministers were appointed by the Laos party.

Evangelos Venizelos, the country’s finance minister and chief negotiator with the troika of international lenders, retained his post.

–IANS/RIA Novosti
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