New cabinet to be announced on Monday, says Christodoulides (Update)

President-elect Nikos Christodoulides kept everyone guessing on Thursday as to the composition of his incoming administration, saying only that he’d announce his cabinet early next week – Monday or Tuesday at the latest.

“I’ve seen what previous presidents did over the matter. President Nikos Anastasiades announced it on February 27, Demetris Christofias on February 28. Therefore, I will follow the beaten path. There is no reason to worry,” he told reporters.

Christodoulides said he could have made the announcement earlier “but I realise there’s some problems journalistically over the weekend.”

Asked if the names are set in stone for the new cabinet shape up, and it was just a matter of announcements, Christodoulides said “we are in the final stage.”

He added: “Announcements will happen when they must. There is absolutely no reason to worry.”

Responding to persistent questions, the president-elect said the selection of the new cabinet was “almost done.”

The only nugget he would give away was that his cabinet would include a person hailing from Paphos.

“There will be a minister from Paphos…after all, we’ve got a president from Paphos,” he joked, alluding to himself.

Christodoulides said he received hundreds of resumes from people interested in a ministerial job. He had also looked at individuals suggested by political parties.

Asked whether his electoral opponent Andreas Mavroyiannis could have a place in his government, he offered: “Why not?”