Greek Politics
Some movement on Greece's name dispute but solution still long way off
The name dispute with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) remains one of the key unresolved matters in Greece’s diplomatic agenda but there appears to be movement on the issue at the moment.
Meimarakis seen as clear frontrunner with New Democracy leadership vote approaching
With just over two weeks left until the first, and possibly only, round of New Democracy’s leadership election, current party president Evangelos Meimarakis seems a clear favourite to win the vote.
Athens ticking off prior actions one by one as EU keeps close watch
European Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici is the latest EU official to visit Greece and check on the government’s progress in completing the tasks it has been set by lenders before the first review of the bailout programme later this month.
Coalition starts to feel backlash from latest round of measures
The government is expected to unveil a second multi-bill on Thursday as it aims to catch up with the list of prior actions it needs to carry out to receive the next bailout tranche of 2 billion euros and then move on to the first review of the third bailout in November.
Passing of broadcasting bill introduces new challenges for coalition
The visit of the quadriga as well as a new round of EU talks on the refugee crisis overshadowed the passing of legislation in Greek Parliament on Saturday that introduces new criteria for the issuing of broadcasting licenses.
Tsipras takes big risk by axing public revenues chief Savvaidou
Alexis Tsipras took a major political gamble on Thursday by forcing general secretary for public revenues Katerina Savvaidou to leave her position, despite her insistence that she would not bow to the government's demands.
Government meets resistance on TV permits and revenues chief
Alexis Tsipras's bid to replace the head of Greece's revenue service and launch a new tender for broadcasting licences with minimum fuss has not gone according to plan.
Tsipras sees political mileage in bill for broadcasting licences
The government unveiled on Monday its long-awaited draft legislation for the new broadcasting licence tenders, with the aim of voting the bill through on Saturday.
Loose ends to tie up on prior actions as lenders head back to Athens
Having got through the parliamentary debate and vote on the first set of prior actions Greece has to carry out this autumn without any major problems, the government now begins the potentially more complicated task of reaching an agreement with its lenders.
Athens seeks enhanced regional role via international religious conference
The Greek government's decision to host the international conference on Religious and Cultural Pluralism and Peaceful Coexistence in the Middle East, which begins in Athens on Sunday and runs through to Tuesday, has two main aims.