Agora
Posts by Nick Malkoutzis
Tsipras and the binary opposition
The morning after July’s referendum win was a bittersweet moment for Alexis Tsipras. It dawned on him that he had an overwhelming mandate not to accept new, onerous bailout terms but, at the same time, that he could not risk Greece’s position in the euro. Fulfilling both desires would require a gold medal-winning balancing act on the political high beam.
Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis
Categories: Politics (387), Greece (498)
Varoufakis and his friendly fire
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has a lot on his mind at the moment: A quarter of his MPs are refusing to support him over his agreement with Greece’s lenders, his short-term political survival is reliant on the opposition parties, representatives from the institutions are returning to Athens and want to start visiting ministries.
Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis
Categories: Politics (387), Economy (331), Greece (498)
Which way now, Mr Tsipras?
After his haphazard cross-country drive across Europe over the last six months, Alexis Tsipras has arrived at the crossroads. He has already been forced by European lenders to make a huge compromise; now he has to decide whether he will be just as ruthless with dissenters in his own party.
Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis
Categories: Europe (282), Politics (387), Economy (331), Greece (498)
Between heaven and hell
What is the distance between heaven and hell? About 700 metres – I measured it on Monday. The morning after the referendum on the Eurogroup’s bailout proposal, I visited my local pharmacy, where my pharmacist was confident that the convincing No vote the night before would lead to good things for Greece. “Everything will be fine,” he said. I walked home and bumped into my neighbour. His view of the referendum was completely different. “We’re doomed now,” he told me.
Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis
Categories: Europe (282), Society (142), Greece (498)
Divided we fall?
Almost 11 years ago today, tens of thousands of Greeks poured onto the streets in harmonious celebration of the national team's Euro 2004 victory. That was another decade, another time, another world. Today, Greeks have little to celebrate and much that divides them.
Contributor: Nick Malkoutzis
Categories: Politics (387), Society (142), Greece (498)