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Greece's caretaker government sworn in with first female prime minister Greece's caretaker government sworn in with first female prime minister
(34 minutes later)
Greece’s new caretaker government was sworn in on Friday as the country prepares early elections next month, the third time Greeks will go to the polls this year.Greece’s new caretaker government was sworn in on Friday as the country prepares early elections next month, the third time Greeks will go to the polls this year.
Vassiliki Thanou, a top judge and the country’s first female prime minister, will lead the country until the election, which is expected to take place on 20 September.Vassiliki Thanou, a top judge and the country’s first female prime minister, will lead the country until the election, which is expected to take place on 20 September.
Her predecessor, Alexis Tsipras, stepped down last week following a rebellion by members of his leftwing Syriza party who objected to the conditions of Greece’s third international bailout.Her predecessor, Alexis Tsipras, stepped down last week following a rebellion by members of his leftwing Syriza party who objected to the conditions of Greece’s third international bailout.
The new cabinet may be in power for less than a month, but it will have to oversee the implementation of several austerity measures on which the new bailout depends.The new cabinet may be in power for less than a month, but it will have to oversee the implementation of several austerity measures on which the new bailout depends.
Giorgos Houliarakis, an academic who was part of Greece’s negotiating team during the talks with its creditors, becomes finance minister, and the veteran diplomat Petros Moliviatis becomes foreign minister, a position he has held twice in the past.Giorgos Houliarakis, an academic who was part of Greece’s negotiating team during the talks with its creditors, becomes finance minister, and the veteran diplomat Petros Moliviatis becomes foreign minister, a position he has held twice in the past.
Alkistis Protopsalti, a popular singer, was named tourism minister.Alkistis Protopsalti, a popular singer, was named tourism minister.
Thanou,65, was previously head of the supreme court. Thanou, 65, was previously head of the supreme court.
Tsipras, who resigned barely seven months into his four-year mandate, has said he needed a stronger mandate to implement the tough austerity measures accompanying the €86bn (£63bn) bailout. Tsipras, who resigned barely seven months into his four-year term, has said he needed a stronger mandate to implement the tough austerity measures accompanying the €86bn (£63bn) bailout.
The first major opinion poll since the election was called, published in the left-leaning Efimerida ton Syntakton newspaper on Friday, found little support for his move.The first major opinion poll since the election was called, published in the left-leaning Efimerida ton Syntakton newspaper on Friday, found little support for his move.
Sixty-four percent said Tsipras was wrong to call the vote, compared with 24% who supported the decision. The remainder took no position or did not reply. 64% said Tsipras was wrong to call the vote, compared with 24% who supported the decision. The remainder took no position or did not reply.
The opinion poll showed that Syriza remained the most popular party, but its approval rating has slipped since early July, before a referendum in which Tsipras convinced Greeks to reject its creditors’ reform proposals.The opinion poll showed that Syriza remained the most popular party, but its approval rating has slipped since early July, before a referendum in which Tsipras convinced Greeks to reject its creditors’ reform proposals.
Twenty-three percent of respondents said they would vote for Syriza, compared with 26% in early July. The conservative New Democracy party stood at 19.5%, up from 15% in July. 23% of respondents said they would vote for Syriza, compared with 26% in early July. The conservative New Democracy party stood at 19.5%, up from 15% in July.
The small nationalist Independent Greeks, Syriza’s partner in the coalition government, stood at 2%, below the 3% threshold needed to enter parliament.The small nationalist Independent Greeks, Syriza’s partner in the coalition government, stood at 2%, below the 3% threshold needed to enter parliament.
Tsipras has ruled out a coalition with any of the centre-right or centre-left parties if he fails to win an absolute majority, meaning he would face problems forming a government unless a party that failed make it into parliament last time wins more than 3% of the vote.Tsipras has ruled out a coalition with any of the centre-right or centre-left parties if he fails to win an absolute majority, meaning he would face problems forming a government unless a party that failed make it into parliament last time wins more than 3% of the vote.
The opinion poll found support for remaining in the euro remained high, with 68% respondents saying they believed the country keep the single currency even if it meant further austerity and sacrifices. Forty-eight percent said the government got the best deal it could for the third bailout, but 45% disagreed. The opinion poll found support for remaining in the euro remained high, with 68% of respondents saying they believed the country should keep the single currency even if it meant further austerity and sacrifices. 48% said the government got the best deal it could for the third bailout, but 45% disagreed.