Which ministers are staying, which ones are coming in

Negotiations between Papandreou and Samaras are finalizing the solution of Papademos for the position of head of the new government.

The next step is the formation of the new government. Information indicates that the new cabinet may also be finalized right now at the meeting of political leaders (except KKE and SYRIZA) at the presidential palace.

The surprise lies in the inclusion of ministers from LAOS, unless there is a shocking surprise. Karatzaferis has agreed toassume the position of vice president but apparently this scenario will not be followed. However, they are expected to place a couple of ministers with Makis Voridis as the favorite and perhaps Adonis Georgiadis as well.

ND had set the replacement of the current ministers of Interior, Justice, Defense and Citizen Protection, and that of the government spokesman, as a condition for the formation of the coalition government. Information indicates that vice president of ND Dimitris Avramopoulos has agreed to take on the National Defence minister’s position.

The attitude that will be maintained by the finance minister and deputy prime minister is of particular interest. In last night's telephone conversation with Papandreou, Venizelos replied that he would stay in the government because he would be requested to do so by members of PASOK and as an act of national duty. He related his possible stay with the need to continue the smooth financing of the country.

Information indicates that Education minister Anna Diamantopoulou, Health minister Andreas Loverdo, Infrastructure minister Yannis Ragousis and Agriculture minister Kostas Skandalidis are also going to remain in their positions in the new formation.