Politics
As easing of lockdown begins, government looks to salvage economy
The first stage of relaxing the lockdown imposed in March was launched on Monday, with the government hoping that Covid-19 will not flare up again and that Greece will be in a position to resume normal economic activity in the coming weeks, including welcoming at least some tourists during the summer.
Government extends pandemic support package amid opposition criticism
Greek political leaders returned to Parliament on Thursday to debate the national response to the pandemic.
PM presents roadmap for relaxing lockdown, highlights political messages from handling of Covid-19
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced the gradual relaxation of the lockdown that has been in place in Greece since March, highlighting that after suppressing Covid-19 the country’s next challenge is to ensure that the virus does not resurface in large numbers as restrictions are lifted.
Parliament re-opens for business amid calls for greater scrutiny
Greek parliamentarians are preparing to return to business this week, with a number of non-pandemic items on the agenda. The return to political normality looks set to rekindle confrontations on several fronts which have been temporarily suppressed in the interest of the national emergency.
Mitsotakis to set out lockdown relaxation plan as ND scales back economic support
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is due to announce on Tuesday the relaxation of the lockdown that has been in place since March, marking the first steps for Greece towards returning to something resembling normality.
Primary residences back in focus as Athens waits for recovery fund decision
Following another European Council teleconference during which no concrete decisions were reached regarding the coronavirus recovery fund, there is growing attention on the primary residence protection scheme, which is due to expire soon.
Survey sheds light on sentiments in lockdown, as govt backpedals on voucher scheme
A major survey highlights Greeks’ anxiety around the pandemic’s impact on their finances, while a government U-turn on support for professionals looks set to tarnish its reputation for competence.
As plan to ease lockdown progresses, politics turns to non-coronavirus issues
The government is forging ahead with its plans to relax the lockdown and a semblance of normality is returning to Greek politics, with issues other than Covid-19 now being addressed.
Renewed concern over East Med as Turkey aims to resume drilling
Ankara’s intention to begin again drilling works in the Eastern Mediterranean as well as its continuing aggressive tactics in the Aegean will be brought up for discussion during Wednesday’s EU Council of Foreign Affairs by Greece’s Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.
Govt trails transition out of lockdown as training vouchers stir controversy
The first small step towards lifting the lockdown was made on Tuesday, as it was announced that courts of first instance and land registry offices would open on April 27 with a restricted range of services.