Politics
Loss of MP upsets coalition plans to build on positive momentum
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras had been hoping to build on the positive momentum of the recent Eurogroup agreement this week but instead his government is trying to fend off speculation about whether it will collapse.
Coalition majority trimmed further after unexpected loss of ANEL MP
The coalition lost another MP on Tuesday, when Independent Greeks (ANEL) deputy Giorgos Lazaridis unexpectedly announced that he was quitting the party in the wake of the Macedonia name deal.
Athens turns its attention to settling differences with Albania
Athens appears to be playing a pivotal role in behind the scenes negotiations regarding the efforts of both the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Albania to join the European Union.
Tsipras aims to capitalise on debt deal as election talk is revived
A special gathering of the two coalition parties’ parliamentary groups on Friday marked the beginning of the government’s effort to capitalise on the debt relief deal with the lenders and the imminent exit from the third programme.
Coalition sees key targets met in debt deal but opposition has holes to pick
The Greek government appeared satisfied with the debt relief package secured at Thursday’s Eurogroup in Luxembourg, an agreement that ensures Greece’s medium-term funding needs will be kept to a minimum.
Name deal set to be key factor in determining lifespan of SYRIZA-ANEL coalition
Although differences between coalition partners SYRIZA and Independent Greeks (ANEL) over the Macedonia name deal show no signs of abating, the government is making it clear that these different views will not trigger a premature end for Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’s administration.
After signing name deal, Athens and Skopje face several more steps
Athens has already composed the letter to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, which will be sent following the ratification of the agreement between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) that was signed on Sunday.
No let-up in intensity of SYRIZA-New Democracy clash over name settlement
New Democracy shows no sign of letting up in the pressure it is putting on the government regarding the Macedonia name issue, despite a potentially embarrassing report about what opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis said about the subject during a recent visit to Germany.
Political turbulence due to name deal creates election doubts
As the dust settles from an intense week for Greek political parties due to the Macedonia name deal, the fallout and whether this will reshape the landscape ahead of the next elections remains to be seen.
Coalition survives no-confidence vote over name deal but sees majority trimmed
The SYRIZA-Independent Greeks (ANEL) coalition suffered a slight blow on Saturday, when it survived a no-confidence vote in Parliament but lost one MP in the process.