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Chilean President Pinera announces cabinet reshuffle

19 July 2011 02:12 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Chilean President Sebastian Pinera on Monday announced a cabinet reshuffle as part of efforts to counteract a popularity crisis his government is facing, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

Chilean Senator Andres Chadwick is taking over as interior minister from Ena Von Baer, while Education Minister Joaquin Lavin will be replaced by Felipe Bulnes, who until now has been justice minister.

Lavin is appointed as new planning and development minister replacing Felipe Kast, while Teodoro Ribera will be justice minister.

Public works minister Hernan de Solminach is appointed as new mining minister, while Energy and Mining Minister Laurence Golborne has been appointed public work minister. Fernando Echeverria will take over the post as energy minister.

"Chileans can be very proud of what we have achieved. After one of the strongest earthquakes in the history, the country is recovering, but it is not a time to rest. The Chilean society reminds us every day that we have many challenges to achieve," said Pinera.

This is the second cabinet reshuffle by Pinera since he took office in March 2010. Last week, a 62-percent disapproval rate was registered for Pinera’s popularity.