Politics: PM urges more innovative thinking by ministers

Prime Minister George Papandreou on Thursday addressed Cabinet members, underlining that their “role should not be limited to a discussion or ratification of draft laws, not even to consultations, but should also consider what the next moves will be”.

In a previous Cabinet meeting the premier encouraged deputy ministers to present innovative ideas and pilot programmes.

“The government does not need to be overwhelmed by the management of day-to-day issues,” adding that it also “needs to work for the major issues and overturn bad practices that are deeply embedded”.

He urged his government ministers to become “instruments for change” in the public sector, stressing that the cabinet should set the example of an administration eager to learn and introduce innovation.