Politics
Tempe-related tension, cost of living continue to dog government
The tug-of-war between the government and the opposition over whether protests can take place in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is due to move to Parliament on Tuesday as MPs will discuss the government’s amendment to place the Defence Ministry, and therefore the armed forces, in charge of preserving and protecting the monument which is situated in front of the House.
PM hits back at labour reform critics, defends 13-hour working days
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has doubled down on last week’s labour reform, insisting that the opposition parties are intentionally misleading the public about what the changes mean for Greek workers.
Greek-Turkish tensions flare over Turkey’s bid to join SAFE
Tensions between Greece and Turkey have resurfaced, this time over Ankara’s bid to participate in the European Union’s SAFE (Security Action for Europe) programme - a 150-billion-euro lending initiative aimed at bolstering investment in Europe’s defence industries.
Faltering relationship with farmers a sign of wider concerns for government
Rural Development Minister Kostas Tsiaras has been forced to deny rumours that he is considering resigning amid growing discontent among farmers about the decisions being taken by the government which affects their sector.
PM embarks on persuasion exercise as political veterans pick up on public discontent
PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis has launched a fresh campaign to showcase government initiatives on the cost of living and quality of public services, against a backdrop of protests from key sectors.
ND braces for rural backlash to OPEKEPE scandal as law and order initiatives take centre stage
The prospect of further delays in agricultural support payments has New Democracy lawmakers rattled, as mounting discontent over the OPEKEPE scandal and the government’s handling of rural affairs bubbles over into protests.
Voters in flux as government faces more pushback over labour reforms
As another 24-hour strike was held on Tuesday to protest the government’s planned labour reforms, two new opinion polls gave an indication of how the Greek public has reacted not just to this issue, but also other recent developments, such as the protests linked to the Tempe train crash case, the ongoing revelations around the OPEKEPE farming subsidy scandal and the decision by former SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras to quit the leftist party.
Mitsotakis heads to Gaza Peace Summit with focus on wider regional developments
Athens sees the Gaza peace agreement that is due to be signed on Monday in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh as historic and a new opportunity for peace in the Middle East.
Tempe reverberations continue as PM reacts to ongoing protests
Despite the decision taken last week by the justice system to agree to the demands made by relatives of the 57 people killed in the Tempe train crash for the exhumation of the victims’ remains, it appears that the aftermath of Greece’s deadliest rail accident will continue to dog the government for months, if not years, to come.
Gaza continues to expose political fault lines as PM hopes peace deal brings less scrutiny
Greece’s Foreign Ministry may have welcomed a US-brokered peace deal between Israel and Hamas as “historic” this week, but the tension between the Greek government and opposition parties over the country’s stance on the Gaza issue continues to be intense and visible.