The Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and Vice President Evangelos Venizelos have called for a meeting of the Government Council of Administrative Reform at 10 am today. Amongst the topics to be discussed are the number of civil servants to be inducted in the mobility scheme, evaluating structures and individuals and setting timetables for the Ministries.
The discussion will be coordinated by the Minister of Administrative Reform Kyriakos Mitsotakis, with the participation of Ministers I. Mihelakis, H. Athanasiou, A. Georgiadis, K. Arvanitopoulos and D. Avramopoulos.
The purpose of the meeting is to determine the progress of reform, whether time tables and goals are met and to put the pressure on Ministers who are lagging behind and have not composed lists of ministerial employees to enter the mobility scheme. As per the agreement with the troika, 4,200 employees must enter the mobility scheme by the end of July, followed by 8,300 in September and a further 14,500 in December.
On Monday 2,000 technical school teachers were suspended, with the Ministry of Education claiming that over half will be transferred to other services of the Ministry of Health. The Minister of Health claimed that doctors are exempt from mobility at this phase.
The Minister of Administrative Reform Mitsotakis met with and updated the President of Democracy Karolos Papoulias on his efforts and latest developments. Mr. Mitsotakis also took the opportunity to warn his colleagues that their support and efforts are needed in order to achieve the quantitative and qualitative goals.
Meanwhile, mayors Kaminis, Boutaris, Dimaras, Skotiniotis and Filios issued a statement condemning the government’s decision to abolish municipal services (such the municipal police and school wardens) and dismiss employees. In their statement they criticize the government of “preachers of stagnation” for “outright questioning local government as an institution of local authority”. The mayors also announced their intention of implementing a number of social initiatives.
