Greece’s top judge takes over as caretaker PM ahead of snap vote

Greece’s top judge on Thursday became the country’s first female prime minister, taking over a caretaker administration to organize early elections next month, the fifth in the crisis-hit country in six years.

 

Vassiliki Thanou, the 65-year-old head of the Supreme Court, took her oath of office in a brief ceremony at the presidential mansion.

 

Dressed entirely in white, the diminutive judge then told outgoing PM Alexis Tsipras that her administration was likely to face additional challenges, such as the migrant wave from Syria.

 

“As the circumstances evolve, I feel this government will be called upon to face (other) critical issues such as migration,” she said.

 

Tsipras said Greece was likely to have a discussion concerning relief on its soaring debt sooner than expected.

 

“Until now we knew that the discussion on debt reduction would be held by the end of the year,” the outgoing PM said.

 

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