Lisbon, Safar 13, 1437, Nov 25, 2015, SPA -- Portugual's Prime Minister Antonio Costa on Wednesday presented his new 17-strong cabinet after his nominations had been approved by President Anibal Cavaco Silva. Finance Minister Mario Centeno - an independent economics expert - is expected to play a key role in the new Socialist-led government making sure that the former euro crisis state will meet its commitment to improving state finances, dpa reported. Costa's minority cabinet, which is relying on the parliamentary support of the Marxist Left Bloc, the Communists and the Greens, is to retract some of the savings measures imposed by its centre-right predecessor. Sociology lecturer Augusto Santos Silva is the new foreign minister. He already headed various departments in previous Socialist governments. The cabinet also comes with one surprise nominee. Joao Soares, son of the former president Mario Soares, will be the new culture minister. As a former opponent of Costa, Soares once was among the Socialist Party's heavyweights. He retreated into the background after failing to secure the party leadership in 2004. The new government is to be sworn in by the president on Thursday. -- SPA 23:14 LOCAL TIME 20:14 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w