Politics
PM pledges handouts amid discontent and gripes over coronavirus strategy
The government is due to temporarily suspend the auctions of repossessed properties and is also aiming to provide a Christmas handout to some Greeks as New Democracy tries to respond to the heavy criticism aimed at Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his administration over the handling of the coronavirus crisis.
Opposition parties attack government narrative on pandemic handling
As the pandemic continues to hit northern Greece hard, the government’s claims to competent management of the healthcare crisis are coming in for a pummelling by the opposition.
ICU shortages provide opposition with fodder in political battle over Covid-19 strategy
The opposition parties are ramping up the pressure on the government over the public health system’s capacity amid claims that there are no more ICU beds available for Covid-19 patients in Thessaloniki, which is currently at the epicentre of the latest wave.
Political friction surfaces in first days of second national lockdown
Following the imposition of the second national lockdown, opposition parties have gone on the offensive over what they describe as the government’s failure to act promptly to contain the second wave of the Covid pandemic.
Athens hopes Biden will spur change in policy, curbing Ergodan
The election of Joe Biden as the 46th US President has fired up expectations in Athens for a further improvement in Greek-US relations and that Washington will be supportive of Athens’s positions in its ongoing crisis with Turkey.
Health system feeling strain of Covid-19 second wave
Greece entered the first working day of its new national lockdown on Monday with the focus on the health system’s capacity for dealing with Covid-19 cases, which continue to grow despite the latest strict restrictions coming into force on Saturday.
Hoping to deflect criticism, ND bolsters stimulus package ahead of new lockdown
The government is adding an extra 1 billion euros to the amount it plans to spend on the latest stimulus package, which it hopes will cushion some of the economic impact of the new national lockdown that is due to be implemented from this Saturday.
Greece to enter second lockdown as govt faces criticism over 'total failure'
Greece is to enter a three-week national lockdown at 6 am Saturday to counteract the alarming rise in Covid-19 infection rates, which have increased pressure on the country’s healthcare system in recent weeks.
Concern over ICU capacity, support for business generate pressure for ND
The government is on edge as it waits to see if the latest measures adopted to stymie Covid-19 have the desired effect and the pressure on the public health system can be eased.
Govt toughens stance on campus security after university raid
A photo of the dean of one of Greece’s top universities being humiliated by a group of self-styled anti-establishment protesters has caused outrage in the academic community and resulted in calls for action to protect higher education establishments.