MacroPolis

Coalition optimistic about pension cuts deal as it readies reduction to contributions

The Greek government is encouraged about the prospects of reaching an agreement with the institutions on pension cuts this week as it continues its drive to legislate the so-called “positive measures.”

With eye on elections, Tsipras talks up public sector hirings

After the overwhelming approval in Parliament on Thursday for the transfer of 820 million euros in backpay to thousands of civil servants, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras sought to build on this momentum by focussing on imminent hirings in the public sector.

Tsipras seeks to build political capital from "positive" measures

Alexis Tsipras tried on Thursday to capitalise on a vote in Parliament that would pave the way for thousands of uniformed personnel and other civil servants to receive some 800 million euros in backpay.

Backpay for civil servants gets "positive" measures rolling for government

The Greek government has submitted to Parliament draft legislation that paves the way for thousands of civil servants to receive millions of euros in backpay, marking the start of a period of intense activity for MPs as the coalition plans to follow this up with other measures promised by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras at the Thessaloniki Expo in September.

Tsipras reaches settlement with church, aiming to subdue critics

In an unexpected move, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras announced on Tuesday evening that the government has reached an agreement with the Church of Greece to settle a series of differences between the church and state, some of which date back decades.

Mitsotakis responds to Tsipras challenge with proposals for broad changes to constitution

New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis made it clear on Tuesday that his party intends to block the government’s efforts to revise Greece’s constitution if Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras limits the process to just the articles that he is interested in changing and not a broader overhaul.

Parties locked in tug of war over troubled universities

By: Georgia Nakou

Opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis used a speech to educators late last month to attack the government’s policies on higher education and outline his own party’s agenda.

SYRIZA and ND at odds over proposals for changing constitution

The proposals made by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras regarding the revision of Greece’s constitution have had their desired effect in the sense that the political debate, as well as considerable media attention, has shifted to SYRIZA’s suggestions.

Tsipras pushes for revision of constitution, hoping to score political points

The prospective of a revision of the Greek constitution is back on the political agenda as Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras seeks to strengthen SYRIZA’s progressive credentials and pursue some of its long-held policy goals.

Kotzias territorial waters comment not expected to spark change of approach in Athens

Athens was expecting a strong reaction from Ankara to the announcement made on Saturday by former Foreign Minister, Nikos Kotzias about the government’s plans to extend Greece’s territorial waters in the Ionian Sea and some parts of the Aegean to 12 nautical miles from the current six.