In the presence of the Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Sofia Zaharakis, the assumption of duties of the new Deputy Minister, Katerina Papakosta, took place in the afternoon, taking over from the outgoing Maria-Alexandra Kefala.

Ms. Zaharaki, in her statement, referred to a year of efforts, together with her “friend and competitor” Maria Kefala, in order to organize a newly established ministry, with which the prime minister “symbolized one of the biggest priorities of our government: the support of of the Greek family, which is also a key link of social cohesion, the empowerment of the vulnerable, child protection, ensuring the equality of people with disabilities. And of course the demographic.

He added that “our project was difficult, with many administrative obstacles, but I feel the need to underline that with your dedication, determination and dynamism we achieved a lot. I thank you for the excellent cooperation and I look forward to what you can still contribute to our work, with your experience and deep knowledge, both at the level of Parliament and in society».

At the same time, he welcomed “friend and colleague Katerina Papakosta” and expressed the certainty that “she will dedicate herself to her new duties in the way she remains dedicated as a member of parliament for Trikala to the recovery of the region”.

The late Deputy Minister, Maria-Alexandra Kefala, in her statement said: “I feel the obligation to thank Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, because around this time last year, he entrusted me with the portfolio of Deputy Minister in a newly established ministry, where together with Minister Sofia Zaharakis we tried all this time to really set something up from scratch. I think that what we have definitely achieved all this time, is to establish the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family in the consciousness of society and citizens, as a useful and necessary structure that came to provide solutions and answers to today’s conditions and needs».

She also referred to the achievements of her tenure at the ministry (“Neighborhood Babysitters”, a sign of equality in businesses, assistance to victims of violence, etc.), while she wished Katerina Papakosta every success, whom she said she would inform thoroughly.

Finally, he noted:As far as I am concerned, I have run all this time with zeal and dedication to what was entrusted to me and without making any concessions to principles, values ​​and what my conscience dictates. I will be by your side in the next period with all my strength. In any case, we are a large group, the K.O of New Democracy to help the worthy ministers and deputy ministers and the entire government structure led by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, so that it is more effective in the problems faced by Greek society and citizens».

For her part, the new deputy minister Katerina Papakosta expressed her emotion for the confidence shown in her by the prime minister and her excitement because she will work with her “good friend” and minister, Sofia Zaharakis.

He emphasized that “the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family is a very important ministry. All these years as a lawyer I have seen first-hand the problems faced by the family and today as a politician, inside the Parliament, trying to pass and defend reforms that concern both the family and the demographic. We are determined to join forces. And it is a great challenge for me to succeed my worthy colleague Mrs. Kefala who has done an excellent job. I thank her for her kind words and willingness to cooperate. All together we will join our forces because we are really interested in providing solutions to problems, to strengthen the family to strengthen social groups, to strengthen individuals, each one individually, to feel that there is a state that supports social cohesion. We don’t want to leave anyone behind»