MacroPolis

Omnibus bill passes but leaves marks on coalition and SYRIZA

31/03/2014 - 01:44

Greece’s coalition succeeded in passing on Sunday an omnibus bill of reforms demanded by the troika so Athens could receive further bailout funding but the process may have inflicted lasting damage on the government and the main opposition.

Is the Greek coalition about to cry over fresh milk?

25/03/2014 - 11:04

Just a few days after the Greek coalition basked in the satisfaction of wrapping up seven-month negotiations with the troika, a minor aspect of that agreement is threatening to undermine the government’s already strained cohesion.

Greece agrees with troika, looks to tranche release and redistribution of surplus

19/03/2014 - 13:11

Following seven months of discussions and lengthy meetings over the past few days Prime Minister Antonis Samaras announced in a televised address on Tuesday that Greece and the troika have agreed on all the key aspects of the drawn-out review of the Greek adjustment programme.

To Potami's rise and Golden Dawn's strife shake things up for May vote

18/03/2014 - 10:41

Just as it looked as if May’s European Parliament elections would be an antagonistic but relatively sterile battle between New Democracy and SYRIZA, with Golden Dawn a shoe-in for third place, journalist Stavros Theodorakis is threatening to upset this apparent balance.

Divisions on center left blight launch of Greek Olive Tree alliance

10/03/2014 - 12:30

An attempt to unit Greece’s centre left under the umbrella of the “Olive Tree” alliance was launched in earnest over the weekend but rather then promoting unity among social democrats it served to highlight their divisions.

Another party arrives on Greece's increasingly diffuse political scene

05/03/2014 - 09:09

Journalist and TV presenter Stavros Theodorakis officially launched a new party on Tuesday. Rather than for its content, his muddled presentation was more notable because it heralded the arrival of yet another grouping on what has become a rather crowded Greek political scene.

Fragmented, weak Greek centre left fails to find basis for cooperation

26/02/2014 - 15:01

An ambitious plan for the rejuvenation of the centre left of Greek politics has stalled as the movement of intellectuals and politicians known as the “58” has turned down an opportunity to cooperate with PASOK at the upcoming European Parliament election.

Golden Dawn faces more legal action but is on course for strong election showing

21/02/2014 - 12:28

A move by magistrates this week to lift the parliamentary immunity of the Golden Dawn MPs yet to be charged in connection to the party’s alleged criminal activity has added some extra uncertainty to the build-up to May’s local and European Parliament elections.

Troika returning to Greece but key decisions still months away

18/02/2014 - 11:36

After weeks of back and forth, rumour and counter-rumour, it appears that the troika is due to return to Greece to bring its latest review of the adjustment program to a delayed conclusion. The completion of the review, though, is just one piece of the Greek jigsaw that has to fall into place over the coming months.

Goalposts shift as European elections near and SYRIZA cements lead

13/02/2014 - 12:34

A look at recent opinion polls would tell you that the Greek government is under pressure going into the local and European Parliament elections in May but New Democracy and PASOK’s anxiety is also evident from the fact that the two parties are altering the rules ahead of the European vote in the hope they will reap the rewards.