Greek Politics
SYRIZA targets middle class with own plan for post-pandemic economic rebound
In an apparent bid to win over Greece’s middle class, which was still reeling from the last economic crisis when the pandemic hit, SYRIZA has presented a range of relief proposals, including debt writedowns.
ND wrong-foots SYRIZA with call to lift expat vote restrictions
The expat vote has become the latest pretext for a flare-up between the New Democracy government and opposition SYRIZA, as a new bill proposes to open up remote voting to the Greek diaspora.
Home testing starts as govt aims to break free from pandemic's grip
The government has started the week by focussing on what it hopes will be an imminent de-escalation of the Covid-19 crisis, relieving pressure on the national health system and the ruling New Democracy party.
Mitsotakis defends pandemic handling, denies snap election plans
As opposition criticism mounts on all fronts, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has offered a defence of his government’s handling of the pandemic and the economy, while seeking one more time to dispel rumours of early elections.
Govt banks on uptick in vaccines over coming months aiding return to normality
There was no respite for the government from the latest Covid-19 data this week, although the situation appears brighter as far as the rollout of the vaccine programme is concerned.
Tsipras launches attack on New Democracy as reactions to lockdown mount
As the government faces growing discontent with lockdown measures, opposition leader Alexis Tsipras has gone on the offensive, attempting to highlight New Democracy’s failings and stake out his party’s position on a number of critical issues.
Confusion over retail reopening puts govt on defensive
The government found itself on the defensive on Monday over its handling of the reopening of the retail sector.
Amid virus gloom, govt lines up support for catering and targets swift upturn
A ramping up of Covid-19 vaccines and self-tests will help Greece emerge quickly from the grips of the pandemic, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis argued on Friday as the virus continues to pound the country’s health system.
EU Commissioner's visit to islands highlights divisions over management of migrant centres
A high-level visit to the islands of the northern Aegean, designed to showcase progress on building new migrant reception centres and improve relations with local communities, has instead highlighted the tensions which persist between the institutions and authorities involved and local communities.
Re-opening plans hang in balance due to unrelenting virus
The government does not seem set to abandon its hopes of further relaxing restrictions on economic activity next week even though the Covid-19 data continues to look alarming.