The latest reports that wanted government to proceed to the imposition of new taxes and the cutback of benefits have exasperated Cyprus President, Tassos Papadopoulos, who stated that “he is deeply indignant with the latest reports, which supported that the government will impose additional taxation or other measures of economic recovery”. “There is not such an issue before the Council of Ministers today”, the President noted.

In an effort to soothe the public opinion and eliminate the discontent evoked by AKEL, Mr. Papadopoulos said that certain Finance Ministry officials are responsible for the latest publications.

Speaking before the meeting of the Council of Ministers, Mr. Papadopoulos criticized the Ministry’s officials. “A silly Finance Ministry employee thought that it would be a journalistic success to present the studies that have not been examined either by the Minister or the Council of Ministers or the President yet”.

The President also recommended the Ministers to be more careful on their statements to the Media. “Sometimes Ministers unintentionally give rise to such publications, which cause anxiety to the citizens and affect the governmental task”.

Mr. Makis Keravnos is officially the new Finance Ministry as from Wednesday, Mr. Christos Taliadoros is the new Labour and Social Securities Minister and Mr. Haris Thrasou has been appointed as the Transport and Public Works Minister.