Greek Politics
PM yields on energy windfall tax as govt feels strain
As his government continues to slide in the opinion polls, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has pledged to impose a windfall tax on energy companies if they make excess profits from rising bills. He also ruled out snap elections or a change to the electoral law.
New Democracy's lead narrows amid cost-of-living worries, mixed feelings over Ukraine
Price hikes are a growing source of concern for Greeks according to the latest opinion poll, which also suggests that support for the New Democracy government has slipped rapidly in the last few days.
Pressure intensifies on govt for more radical interventions in energy markets
The support package unveiled by the government last week already appears inadequate to contain the continuing surge in energy prices, leading industry and other pressure groups to join the opposition’s demand for stronger measures.
Fallout from Ukraine war being fed into calculations about next general elections
Comments by a government official appear to have doused expectations of snap elections before the summer, but speculation remains as lively as ever about an early vote later this year, possibly accompanied by another change to the electoral system.
Tsipras berates govt over treatment of pensioners
Alexis Tsipras attempted to connect with pensioners on Friday – an electoral group with which his SYRIZA party has limited appeal, but which the opposition leader seems to believe he can entice given the current concerns about the cost of living.
PM unveils 1.1-billion-euro anti-inflation package to opposition scepticism
The government is pinning its hopes on a new support package to blunt the effects of galloping inflation on households and businesses, but the opposition is accusing Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of being too timid and missing the mark.
SYRIZA challenges govt over Covid deaths again as pandemic numbers rise
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is set to make a televised address on Wednesday to unveil his government’s latest attempt at combatting the cost-of-living crisis, but SYRIZA is trying to push the issue of Covid-related deaths back up the political agenda.
Enhanced support package on way to combat inflation, as govt awaits crucial nod from EU
Details are emerging of the government’s plans for further economic support measures to cushion the effects of the war in Ukraine on inflation. With the cost set to balloon over the coming weeks, the stance adopted by the EU will be crucial in determining how far the Finance Ministry can go to counterbalance cost-of-living rises.
Govt readies additional inflation relief package, draws up new budget
The government is set to announce later this week the enhanced package of relief measures aimed at cushioning the impact of the war in Ukraine on Greek businesses and households but also insulating New Democracy from potential voter dissatisfaction.
Hopes of EU providing immediate relief wane as economic challenges multiply
The first day of the EU leaders’ summit in Versailles on Thursday did not produce particularly encouraging developments for the Greek government, which is hoping that Europe will step in to provide solutions on the fiscal front as the energy crisis and runaway inflation fuel political concern.