From Cyprus Gov’t spokesman to new Defence Minister

Government spokesman Christodoulos Pashiardis was appointed Friday as new Defence Minister after the death a week earlier of veteran civil servant Nicos Symeonides who held the post from last September.

Pashiardis will be sworn into office Monday and should hold the post until the next presidential elections in February 2008.

He has a busy schedule of outstanding issues, both at the ministry, as well as at the National Guard, due to Symeonides’ hospitalisation from poor health.

According to the Constitution, deputising as Acting Minister of Defence had been Finance Minister Michalis Sarris.

Re[placing Pashiardis as government spokesman and Undersecretary to the President who will be in charge of Papadopoulos re-election campaign is Vasilis Palmas, Director of the Presidential Palace press office, who unsuccessfully tried to win the post of Party Secretary at the ruling Democratic Party (DIKO).