Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis Wednesday replaced some members of his cabinet, notably removing the minister of civilian protection, following several deadly hooligan incidents at sporting events.
The mini reshuffle was announed by government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis to state broadcaster Ert.
Giannis Oikonomou, who has been civilian protection minister ever since Mitsotakis’s New Democracy party won reelection in June, was replaced by Health Minister Michalis Chryssohoidis.
In turn, Chryssohoidis was replaced at the health ministry by ultra-conservative Labour Minister Adonis Georgiadis, who himself was replaced by Domna Michailidou, who becomes only the third woman in the cabinet.
Oikonomou’s ouster comes after a 31-year-old policeman died of his wounds last week after being hit by a flare during clashes between supporters at a December 7 volleyball match in Athens.
His death came four months after a 29-year-old Greek man was stabbed to death during fights before a football match between Croatia’s Dinamo Zagreb and AEK Athens.
The president of the Greek football league Vangelis Marinakis resigned on December 12 and the government announced various measures to cut down on fan violence, included having all major league football matches played behind closed doors until February 12.
Source: AFP
