President Christodoulides’ cabinet reshuffle on January 8, has drawn both praise and criticism from the public, a public opinion survey conducted by Pulse Market Research on behalf of Phileleftheros showed.
Of the six changes made to Christodoulides’ cabinet, the majority of citizens support five of them.
Assessing the government reshuffle, most citizens believe that changes were necessary. Around one in four respondents (26%) believe these changes were needed, with nearly half (48%) stating they were necessary, while only 10% expressed dissent, and 16% opted not to respond.
Examining the voting patterns from the 2021 parliamentary elections, those supporting the reshuffle primarily belong to DISY, with 34% in favour and 47% backing some changes.
Similar sentiments are echoed among DIKO voters, with 31% stating all changes were necessary and 48% believing some were warranted.
For AKEL supporters, 25% called for changes, while 47% felt some were needed.
Regarding the ministers and deputy ministers who were replaced, citizens generally agree with the changes except for the removal of Defence Minister Michalis Georgallas.
The first change to the government lineup occurred with Michalis Hatzigiannis’s resignation on July 11, 2023. Despite the resignation, 61% of respondents positively assessed Michalis Hatzigiannis’s replacement as Deputy Minister of Culture, while 18% disagreed, and 21% did not respond.
Regarding the replacement of Anna Koukides-Procopiou as Minister of Justice and Public Order, 47% agreed, 21% disagreed, and 32% chose not to answer.
In the case of Popi Kanari and her replacement as Minister of Health, 41% agreed, 30% disagreed, and 29% did not respond.
Regarding Petros Xenophontos and his replacement as Minister of Agriculture, 33% agreed, 24% disagreed, and 44% did not respond.
As for Philippos Chatzizacharias, despite his resignation as Deputy Minister of Innovation, Research, and Digital Policy, citizens appeared divided. Thirty-one per cent of respondents agreed with the change, 29% disagreed, and 40% did not respond.
Regarding the removal of Michalis Georgallas from the Ministry of Defence, the majority of citizens appear to disagree. Forty-four per cent of respondents stated they disagreed with President Christodoulidis’s action. Twenty-three per cent agreed, and 32% did not respond.
One in two voters of DISY, DIKO, or any other party in the last parliamentary elections expressed disagreement.
AKEL voters showed uniformity in their responses, with one-third agreeing, another third (approximately) disagreeing, and the remaining percentage not responding.
Survey Profile
Sample Size: 600 Successful Interviews
Geographical Coverage of the Sample: Nationwide, Urban and Rural Areas
Sampling: Random-Stratified Multistage
Information Collection: Telephone Interviews
Respondents: Individuals aged 18 and above
Information Collection: 20/02/2024 – 26/02/2024
Weighting: The sample was weighted (rim weighting) retrospectively with constraints on demographic parameters and the results of the 2021 parliamentary elections.
