Tsipras replaces rebels in government reshuffle

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Friday kicked out of his government rebel ministers who voted against reforms demanded by international creditors in return for a rescue deal.

Tsipras was weakened by a revolt in his left-wing SYRIZA party by lawmakers who voted against the measures in parliament on Thursday, forcing him to rely on opposition votes to pass the package Greece needs to stay afloat.

In exchange for funding worth up to 86 billion euros, Greece has accepted reforms significant pension adjustments, value added tax increases, an overhaul of collective bargaining rules and tight limits on public spending.

Labor Minister Panos Skourletis will become energy minister to replace Panagiotis Lafazanis, one of the hardline rebels in the SYRIZA party.

Administrative Reforms Minister George Katrougalos will be the new labor minister.

Tryfon Alexiadis, a leading member of Greece's tax experts' union, was named deputy finance minister, replacing Nadia Valavani, who stepped down earlier this week.

Euclid Tsakalotos, who became finance minister on July 6 in replacement of Yanis Varoufakis, kept his portfolio.

Christoforos Vernardakis, an academic, will become deputy defense minister. SYRIZA lawmaker Olga Gerovassili was named government spokeswoman.

[Reuters]