Politics
Soldiers' return from Turkey provides Tsipras with timely boost
Alexis Tsipras’s government received a much-needed boost ahead of the August 15 national holiday in Greece as Turkey announced the release of the two Greek soldiers it had been holding since March.
Cabinet reshuffle expected to presage coalition's revival effort
Greek politics has entered what is meant to be a rare quiet period this week but speculation about an upcoming cabinet reshuffle continues.
Under relentless pressure from opponents, Tsipras unveils plans for new crisis agency
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras presented on Thursday the government’s plans for the overhaul of the civil protection authority, seen as one of the major weak points in the response to the Mati fire, which has now claimed 93 lives.
Tsipras tries to take lead in fire response amid picture of confusion
As the investigation into the Mati fire proceeds and more reports of the apparent mishandling of the crisis by authorities emerge, the government is hoping that its focus on tackling the aftermath of the disaster will spare it having to take on the full political cost.
Russia responds to expulsions but diplomatic row seen petering out
Russia has expelled two Greek diplomats and has forbidden two others from entering the country in retaliation to a similar move by Athens a month ago.
Reshuffle expected to follow minister's departure in wake of Mati disaster
Alternate Citizens’ Protection Minister Nikos Toskas was the first political casualty of the recent deadly wildfire in Mati, for which the death toll has risen to 90.
Effort for Greece and Albania to resolve diplomatic differences goes on back burner
Athens recently decided to postpone the finalisation of an agreement on all outstanding issues with Albania, even though Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias in June declared that he would resolve these matters before going on his summer holiday.
Fire fallout casts doubt on Tsipras’s post-MoU strategy
There is speculation that political fallout from the wildfire in Mati, where the death toll is approaching 100, may affect Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’s strategy for the last stretch of the current administration’s time in office.
Coalition pledges to demolish illegal buildings following Mati fire
The government attempted on Wednesday to snatch back the initiative in the political battle over the July 23 fire, which caused almost 100 deaths so far.
Mitsotakis steps up pressure on coalition over wildfire deaths
New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis is trying to keep up the pressure on the government following last week’s deadly fires on the outskirts of Athens.