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Christodoulides, 49, inherits a deadlock in reunification talks
on the ethnically split island, labour disputes over high
inflation, and what he called challenges of "exceptionally
complex" irregular migration.
Christodoulides took an investiture oath in parliament. Cyprus
has an executive system of government, with power invested in
the presidency and its council of ministers.
Backed by centrist and right-wing parties, Christodoulides, a
foreign minister until early 2022, won 52% of the vote over his
main rival, leftist-backed Andreas Mavroyiannis.
"A solution to the Cyprus problem is my top priority," he said.
He met with Ersin Tatar, the Turkish Cypriot leader, last week.
Christodoulides has already sailed into his first controversy by
falling short on a pre-election pledges of women making up 50%
of his cabinet and of avoiding appointments of individuals who
served in past governments.
"He raised the bar, but fell short," the opposition leftist AKEL
said in a statement.
Of 25 appointments announced on Monday, 14 were male and 11
female, though there were fewer females in key posts.
Two of his ministers have served in previous administrations -
Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou, who served as health
minister under the government of former President Nicos
Anastasiades, and Finance Minister Makis Keravnos, who served in
the same post 20 years ago.
(Reporting by Michele KambasEditing by Peter Graff and Nick
Macfie)
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