The World : Papandreou Ousts Leftists

Greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, a Socialist, replaced three top leftists in a shake-up that left his government more moderate. Papandreou said the main reason for the shuffle was to revitalize his ruling Pasok (Socialist) party, which fared badly in municipal elections last October. But political analysts said the changes could make it easier for the government to continue its 14-month-old austerity program, including a virtual pay freeze, which has been under attack by leftists and Communist trade unions. In another change, the prime minister’s son, George Papandreou, who had been deputy culture minister, was switched to a job in the Pasok executive committee.