Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras named Thanasis Theocharopoulos, 40, to replace Greek Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura, who resigned in order to contest a seat in the European elections.
Theocharopoulos is an agricultural economist who heads the tiny Democratic Left party (DIMAR).
READ MORE: Greece wins tourism Oscar: Elena Kountoura named best tourism minister worldwide
The small party backed Greece’s ruling Radical Left Coalition (Syriza) in the Prespes Agreement that saw a deal being struck with FYROM for the name of North Macedonia to be used. For this reason, the appointment of Theocharopoulos was met with controversy by the opposition parties that state that DIMAR only voted in favour of the name deal to position themselves in Syriza’s favour.
Greece expects another record year in tourism, the backbone of the Greek economy.
