President Nikos Christodoulides has offered no comment regarding the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle following the recent parliamentary elections, which resulted in significant losses for two supporting parties. During a visit to the village of Emba in the Paphos district, he stated, “I have no comment. Reshuffles are not announced, they are executed. When something happens, there will be an announcement made by the presidential palace.”
The elections held on May 24 saw both Dipa and Edek lose all their seats in parliament, a development that Christodoulides lamented, asserting that these parties “deserved to be in the new House, and have proven it.” Currently, these parties hold three ministerial positions, including Labour Minister Marinos Mousiouttas and Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas from Dipa, as well as Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou from Edek.
Since taking office, Christodoulides has already enacted a cabinet reshuffle in December last year, which involved six changes. Among the notable adjustments, Michael Damianos transitioned from health to energy ministry, while Neophytos Charalambides took over the health ministry. Mousiouttas was appointed as labour minister, with Costas Fitiris stepping in as justice minister, replacing Marios Hartsiotis, who was subsequently assigned to the role of commissioner of the presidency. Additionally, Clea Hadjistefanou-Papaellina was appointed as deputy minister for social welfare.
Following the December reshuffle, Edek expressed dissatisfaction. Party leader Nikos Anastasiou remarked that they had anticipated the president would view Edek more favourably, although he ruled out withdrawing support for the government. An earlier statement from Edek indicated a perceived lack of appreciation for their contributions, stating, “Edek’s sincere efforts so far to contribute with proposals and positions to the success of the government’s work seem to have not been appreciated.”
In the lead-up to the potential reshuffle, speculation has surrounded Agriculture Minister Panayiotou, especially following her controversial comments during a wildfire crisis in July last year that resulted in two fatalities. She remarked that “the only way we could have prevented [it] was for it not to have started,” which drew backlash. Calls for her resignation have intensified, particularly as Cyprus faces an outbreak of foot and mouth disease, prompting House President Annita Demetriou and Akel leader Stefanos Stefanou to voice their discontent with her continued position.
Demetriou stated, “In such serious cases, society expected a unified coordination of operations from the agriculture minister and all competent services. When the management of a crisis leads to such chaos, taking responsibility is not a choice, it is an obligation. That means resignation. Because patience has its limits.”
Stefanou also expressed frustration, describing it as “incomprehensible” that Panayiotou remains in her role despite her inability to effectively manage critical issues, including last summer’s fires and the current health crisis. He emphasised that assuming political responsibility is essential to move forward from the impasse.
