Greek Politics
Coalition under fire over multi-bill but aiming to stay united for vote
Ahead of Sunday’s crucial vote on the multi-bill submitted to Parliament this week, there appeared little sign of dissent among government MPs despite the negative reaction prompted by much of the legislation involved.
Tsipras seeking repeat of full support from coalition MPs in upcoming bailout vote
Ministers are due to begin on Wednesday the effort of ensuring that all government MPs will support the multi-bill due to be submitted to Parliament by the end of the day.
Coalition prepares final legislation for review, opposition expects no upsets for now
Another week devoted to drafting and voting new legislation awaits the government, which aims to complete the remaining bailout measures ahead of the May 24 Eurogroup.
Stournaras calls for lower primary surplus target, debt relief measures
Speaking at a conference of the Confederation of Northern Greece Industries (SBEE), the Bank of Greece (BoG) governor Yannis Stournaras suggested on Friday that Greece’s primary surplus target of 3.5 percent of GDP in 2018 should be lowered to 2 percent.
Tsipras upbeat after vote, Eurogroup but deal details may still present problems
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has been in fan upbeat mood this week following the successful parliamentary vote on Sunday and the positive noises coming from the Eurogroup on Monday.
Greece and lenders edge closer at Eurogroup but standby measures, debt relief not resolved yet
Greece and its creditors appeared to move a step closer on Monday to an agreement that would conclude the bailout review but questions remain about the details of some aspects of the potential deal.
Tsipras gets full support in pension and income tax vote, moves on to Eurogroup
Greek Parliament passed the pension and income tax reform bill entailing 2 percent of GDP in fiscal measures needed to lead to the completion of the first bailout, with all 153 of the government’s MPs backing the legislation.
EU highlights Greek border concerns but Athens concerned about Aegean
Greece’s land and sea borders, as well as air space, are back in focus after the European Commission’s decision to extend frontier controls in the Schengen area for another six months and rising concern about Turkey’s activity in the Aegean.
Launch of new movement highlights fragmentation of Greek centre-left
Former Interior Minister Yiannis Ragoussis is set to launch a new centre-left movement on Wednesday, highlighting the fragmentation in this part of the Greek political spectrum.
Greece looks for support as expectations for May 9 Eurogroup lowered
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is expected to resume talks with Greek government officials on Tuesday, following the Easter break, but the country’s lenders appear to have already to set expectations low for any agreement on the bailout review by the extra Eurogroup on May 9.