ATHENS, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides on Friday announced six changes to his cabinet in what marks the second major reshuffle of his term and the first in nearly two years, a statement from the presidency said.

The reshuffle included the following changes: Michael Damianos, previously minister of health, was named minister of energy, commerce and industry; Marinos Moushiouttas, a Democratic Alignment member of parliament (MP), will take over as minister of labor and social insurance; Constantinos Fitiris was appointed minister of justice and public order, succeeding Marios Hartsiotis, who will become presidential commissioner.

Reports over the summer indicated that Christodoulides had originally planned a reshuffle after next May's parliamentary elections, but the recent wildfire in southern Cyprus, which broke out on July 23 near Limassol and killed two people, accelerated the process.

Swearing-in and handover ceremonies for the new cabinet members and government officials are scheduled for Dec. 8, the statement said.

With Cyprus set to assume the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU) on Jan. 1, 2026, four of the new ministers will take on roles in the EU Council during the country's six-month term, according to The Cyprus Mail. Enditem