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Reshuffled Greek cabinet sworn in amid uncertainty over bailout deal

Xinhua, July 18, 2015 Adjust font size:

Greece's reshuffled cabinet was sworn in on Saturday following a mini-overhaul in the aftermath of a revolt within the governing coalition-leading Radical Left SYRIZA party against a tough new bailout deal adopted earlier this week.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras reshuffled the government on Friday to clear out party "rebels" who voted against reforms demanded by international creditors in return for a rescue deal.

One of the key figures in the new line-up was Alternate Minister for Revenues Tryfon Alexiadis, an experienced tax expert, who takes over from Nadia Valavani.

Valavani resigned on Wednesday a few hours before voting against the bailout deal.

"We are facing a difficult task at the finance ministry, because the 'fire' of tax evasion has still not been extinguished," Alexiadis told media after the sworn-in ceremony at the presidential mansion in central Athens in the presence of Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos.

"We know very well that this is a tough agreement. The period is critical. We need to restore people's confidence in the government," said Olga Gerovassilis, new government spokesperson.

The outline of Greece's third bailout in five years and the first round of taxation and pension system reforms were approved with 229 votes in the 300-member assembly, but the Leftist premier had to rely on the support of opposition pro-euro parties after facing a "mutiny" within his party.

A total of 39 out of 149 lawmakers of his Radical Left SYRIZA party defied party line in a blow for the premier, which fuelled concern over the fate of the coalition government. Endi