SANTIAGO, June 13 (Xinhua) -- Chilean President Sebastian Pinera on Thursday announced a cabinet reshuffle, replacing six ministers after a lower support rate for his government.
Teodoro Ribera, a lawyer and former minister of justice during Pinera's first term was appointed as the new foreign minister to replace Roberto Ampuero.
The current Minister of Public Works, Juan Andres Fontaine, was appointed minister of economy, as a substitute for Jose Ramon Valente.
The changes came on the same day when pollster CEP showed the approval ratings for Pinera's administration plunged 25 percent amid a complicated economic and social situation.
"Governing has always been a difficult and demanding task, and these difficulties and demands are exacerbated in times of confrontation and weakness of the world economy, and of excessive internal divisions and obstacles," the president said after announcing the shake-up.
The president also appointed new ministers of health, public works, social development and energy.
