Reshuffle delay fuels tensions as Raouna exit, Angelides decision confirmed

Politics Nikos Christodoulidesreshuffle Reshuffle delay fuels tensions as Raouna exit, Angelides decision confirmed Reshuffle Delay Fuels Tensions As Raouna Exit, Angelides Decision Confirmed Relevant News Reshuffle delay fuels tensions as Raouna exit, Angelides decision confirmed 4 August 2026 Dubai International Airport to close permanently in 2035 4 August 2026 Two arrested in Kornos forest arson attempt case 4 August 2026 Frixos Dalitis 4 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber President Nikos Christodoulides’s delay in announcing his cabinet reshuffle has kept political tensions simmering on several fronts, with discontent building among people named in the speculation and DISY’s reactions against the president escalating. Two new developments have now been added to the mix: Marilena Raouna’s definitive departure from government, and the closing of the discussion around Christos Angelides for the post of Deputy Minister of Tourism. These developments create new conditions for the reshuffle announcement, which, barring a major surprise, should come within hours, though any timing prediction carries risk given how often such schedules shift, keeping the discussion open and the tremors in the political scene ongoing. The Angelides chapter has closed for good, with sources from PASYXE stressing that the association has had, has, and will continue to have a director general, effectively putting the matter to rest. The president made no formal approach to Angelides, though sources indicate he was informally sounded out. Following this development, it remains an open question whether Christodoulides will look elsewhere or leave the Deputy Ministry of Tourism out of the reshuffle altogether, with Kostas Koumis staying in the post. Over the weekend, reaction had already begun building in Famagusta district against scenarios involving Koumis’s removal from government. Current estimates suggest no change will be made to that ministry, allowing the matter to close as painlessly as possible. Raouna’s departure a loss Marilena Raouna said goodbye to her colleagues yesterday at the building housing what was until recently the Secretariat of the Cyprus Presidency, telling them she is leaving government and will not continue in any other capacity. This means one of Christodoulides’s closest aides will not feature in the upcoming reshuffle announcements, nor remain in the president’s team of advisers. According to sources, although an understanding had existed for her to stay on in some role alongside the president, laying the groundwork for a horizontal coordinating structure on European affairs and the institution of a Deputy Minister to the President for European Affairs, new circumstances have emerged since Friday that no longer leave room for her to remain in government. The end of the working relationship with Raouna is undoubtedly a major loss for both the government and Christodoulides personally, as she was one of his closest aides, particularly on diplomacy and EU matters. She is also credited with the successful organisation of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU. Tina Pavlou and DISY’s irritation Speculation over a ministerial appointment for Tina Pavlou has irritated DISY, with party leader Annita Demetriou speaking firmly on the matter when asked following the Council of Ministers session. Beyond the public statements, sources say DISY also sent informal messages to the president, indicating the party would withhold its cooperation and support on upcoming health-related issues due before parliament. Tina Pavlou was never a DISY party official. She was considered to have a good relationship with Christodoulides and is said to have supported him in the 2023 presidential election. Her place on DISY’s electoral list and subsequent appointment to the Council for Monitoring Government Work were seen as a success both for DISY and personally for Annita Demetriou, who had brought her into her circle. Demetriou confirmed she had tried to reach Pavlou without response, and said everyone is judged by their actions. “In politics, everyone is judged by results,” Demetriou said, adding that she believes the matter should be resolved as soon as possible so the government can focus on the real problems facing citizens. Karousos keeps up the pressure DISY deputy leader Giannis Karousos returned to the reshuffle issue twice yesterday with public statements attacking the government and President Christodoulides. Speaking on Alpha television, he said what bothers DISY is people “coming in with knives” against the party. He also said, in his view, DISY stopped being a home for Christodoulides from the day he “decided to betray it.” On the names reportedly approached by the president for the new Council of Ministers, he said they were DISY candidates from European and parliamentary elections. On Tina Pavlou specifically, he noted she had also served on the Council for Monitoring Government Work, calling it “political anomaly” for someone to oppose the government one day and join it the next. He added that she had failed to show respect to the DISY leader who had chosen her and kept her close, noting that since the leaks began, Demetriou has been calling her without response. What Papadopoulos said DIKO leader Nikolas Papadopoulos was asked about the reshuffle following a National Council session, including whether the party had made recommendations to the president. Asked whether DIKO disagreed with the government over the reshuffle, Papadopoulos said the matter concerns the president alone, who must choose the associates he wants in his government. “We did have the chance to exchange views with the president and conveyed our position and recommendations, but I repeat, this is a matter for the president himself,” Papadopoulos said. Papadopoulos had earlier appeared on state broadcaster CyBC yesterday morning and was also asked about the reshuffle. He said his party has always pointed out that DIKO can contribute significantly to the government’s work, while repeating that the reshuffle is a matter for the president alone. EDEK waits too Another element in the equation is EDEK’s position, following the confirmed departure of Maria Panayiotou from the Council of Ministers. Sources say EDEK has told the president it wishes to retain representation in the Council of Ministers, and has already put forward names. Based on scenarios that have surfaced publicly, a ministerial appointment for an EDEK figure does not appear likely. In that case, a reaction from the party is considered certain. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Dubai International Airport to close permanently in 2035 Two arrested in Kornos forest arson attempt case Forest department shuts Platania campsite, orders caravans removed (photos) Guterres’s seven parameters for a Cyprus solution revealed Weekend guide: Where to brunch, dine and explore across Cyprus Cyprus police officers to start wearing body cameras on duty Study confirms Cyprus nursing shortage, with deficit set to persist Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.