Venizelos New Culture Minister

Evangelos Venizelos new Culture Minister

Evangelos Venizelos is the country’s new culture minister. Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis replaced Culture Minster Theodoros Pangalos on November 19, the same day as a front-page interview by the latter expressed disagreement with certain government policies, including labor market reforms.

The outspoken Mr. Pangalos, a former foreign affairs minister, has been replaced by the veteran ruling Pasok party cadre, Evangelos Venizelos. In the previous government, the new minister also held the culture portfolio and later was appointed development minister (responsible for tourism).

In the past, Mr. Venizelos has held other government posts, such as that of justice minister. When the new government was installed earlier this year, Mr. Venizelos had refused to accept the culture portfolio.