Greek Politics
Tsipras issues rare MP ouster, focusses on pinning ND down over ICU data
The government is making its fullest effort to dismiss or deflect the medical study that highlighted how much the health system is struggling to cope with Covid, while SYRIZA is trying to exploit it to the maximum but is open to the party’s customary communications slip-ups.
Polls boost for KINAL after leadership vote, as Androulakis rolls out key appointments
Two separate polls have recorded a significant rise in the popularity of third party KINAL following leadership elections which installed MEP Nikos Androulakis as its president.
Health service weakness highlighted as Covid deaths hit record high and research points to ICU disparity
Greece registered a record number of 130 daily Covid-related deaths on Tuesday. The grim news was followed by the publication of research by leading Greek experts which highlighted the low tolerance the Greek health system has to a high case load during the pandemic and the higher mortality among seriously ill patients who are hospitalised outside of Athens or do not have access to intensive care.
Mitsotakis confronted by show of strength from church, turns attention to post-wildfire reconstruction
Long-running tensions between the government and the Church of Greece threatened to derail Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s charm offensive on vaccination.
Androulakis receives strong mandate for renewal at KINAL
In a development that could cause reverberations across Greek politics, MEP Nikos Androulakis has been elected the leader of centre-left KINAL following a resounding victory over former prime minister George Papandreou in Sunday’s run-off vote.
Mitsotakis breaks the ice in Sochi but Russia's wariness remains
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Russian President Vladimir Putin held constructive talks on Wednesday in Sochi, without, however, reaching an agreement that would upgrade bilateral relations outside a framework of mainly cultural exchanges and the environment.
Tsipras makes pre-emptive peace offering to next KINAL leader ahead of final vote
Ahead of Sunday’s run-off vote in the KINAL leadership election, SYRIZA’s president Alexis Tsipras has made an indirect appeal to the centre-left party’s next head to focus on attacking the government rather than the main opposition party.
MEP takes comfortable lead over former PM in advance of KINAL leadership run-off
Nikos Androulakis, a moderate MEP from Crete with no prior experience in national government, is emerging as the clear favourite to win the second round of voting for the leadership of third party Movement for Change (KINAL).
SYRIZA maintains pressure over Covid treatment, media handouts
SYRIZA attempted on Wednesday to step up the pressure on the government around the Covid crisis, accusing New Democracy of giving up the effort to take on the pandemic.
Govt stands firm on 'no lockdown' message, pins hopes on vaccination surge
The political leadership in Greece is insisting that it will not be following the lead of other European countries by imposing further public health restrictions in the approach to the Christmas holidays, but instead is focussing all efforts on boosting vaccination uptake.