Government and advisory body defend new semi-governmental organization appointments

Government officials and the head of the Advisory Council, Giorgos Aresti, have rejected recent criticism regarding new appointments to the boards of semi-governmental organizations. Following intense backlash from the opposition, authorities defended the selection process as a significant improvement over previous systems where party affiliation was the sole criterion for such roles. The government emphasized that the current system, while not perfect, promotes transparency and allows for a broader range of individuals to serve the public interest.

Regarding the statistics, Deputy Government Spokesman Giannis Antoniou stated that out of 95 appointed individuals, 74 were recommended by the Advisory Council. Figures provided by officials varied slightly, with Antoniou citing a 78% adoption rate of recommendations, while Aresti estimated the figure to be 80%. Aresti clarified that his council acts purely in an advisory capacity, submitting lists of three candidates per position to the relevant ministers, and that their involvement concluded several weeks prior to the final decisions.

Critics have raised concerns over reports that some appointees did not submit formal applications. Officials countered that this practice is not unprecedented, as certain positions often fail to attract sufficient applicant interest. The government maintains that efforts to refine the selection process are ongoing, despite the current criticism.