Politics
New centre-left party keeps political options open at inaugural congress
The centre-left grouping Movement for Change held its inaugural congress over the weekend, which coincided with an apparent worsening of relations between governing partners SYRIZA and Independent Greeks, all of which has fuelled speculation about future political developments in Greece.
Coalition tries to move focus back to scandals
Under pressure due to the developments involving PAOK chairman Ivan Savvidis, the government has moved the spotlight back to the Novartis investigation again, apparently hoping this will provide some relief.
Coalition struggles to contend with fallout from football crisis
The government is finding it difficult to put the incident involving PAOK chairman Ivan Savvidis behind it even though the Greek-Russian businessman and his family have reportedly returned to Russia.
PM sparks speculation with Theodorakis talks as centre-left gears up for congress
In a move that caused a stir within Greece’s centre-left, To Potami leader Stavros Theodorakis met with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Monday afternoon.
Football chairman's actions threaten to blow coalition off course again
The government was forced to put to one side on Monday the tension with Turkey and clashes with New Democracy as it was forced to act on the latest crisis with potentially serious political implications, which emanated from a rather unlikely source: Greek football.
Coalition's moves on public sector hirings under scrutiny
The government’s approach to hirings in the public sector has come under scrutiny after a couple of developments this week.
Capture of soldiers adds to complexity of Greek-Turkish relations
The arrest of two Greek servicemen last Wednesday in the northern border region of Evros is causing much concern in Athens as officials wait to find out what Turkish authorities will decide to do with the soldiers.
New Democracy targets SYRIZA over law and order, independent institutions
The Greek government’s opponents are looking for other issues apart from the programme exit to focus on in an attempt to halt any possible opinion poll rebound for SYRIZA.
Tension between coalition and political opponents here to stay
Even though Greece’s lenders are turning their attention towards debt relief and the programme exit, two of the most valuable political prizes Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras wants to claim ahead of the next elections, the government still seems to believe it can gain from tension with its political opponents.
Amid exit speculation, growth strategy offers chance for coalition to show intentions
The conclusion of the current round of negotiations with the institutions in Athens on Thursday was accompanied by a reiteration on the government’s behalf that it would like to make as clean an exit as possible from the programme this summer.