Greek Politics
Lesvos tragedy, Erdogan threat ratchet up refugee crisis pressure
Two people were killed and another two seriously injured in a fire apparently caused by a cooking accident at the Moria refugee camp on Lesvos, highlighting the continuing challenges the Greek government faces in dealing with the refugee crisis and increasing the pressure on Athens at a time when it is fearful of migrants arriving in larger numbers.
Tsipras and Mitsotakis speak to their MPs but address wider audience
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis addressed their parliamentary groups on Wednesday but both directed their words at a broader audience than the MPs in front of them.
Mitsotakis renews appeal to PASOK and Potami for joint drive
Just a few days after naming a shadow cabinet, New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis has issued a rallying call to PASOK and To Potami, calling on the opposition parties to create a “front against populism.”
Attacks on Chios refugee camp underline precarious balance on islands
The tension on the Greek islands hosting refugees and the opportunities for right-wing extremists to exploit the situation was highlighted over the last few days.
Tsakalotos states case for debt relief as New Democracy sharpens up
Greek politics is gradually returning to normality following the excitement of US President Barack Obama’s visit to Athens and his welcome comments on the need for less austerity and more debt relief for Greece.
Kammenos's odd partnership with Tsipras still holding together
Defence Minister Panos Kammenos was re-elected as leader of SYRIZA’s coalition partner Independent Greeks (ANEL) over the weekend, while also managing to highlight the odd nature of the cooperation between the two parties.
Parties reach consensus on broadcasting watchdog after coalition backs off
After five failed attempts, Greece’s political parties managed to agree on Thursday over the appointment of a new board at the National Council for Radio and Television (ESR), which is crucial to the government’s efforts to regulate the TV sector.
Coalition puts on fresh face but poll sees support draining away
The government’s new spokesman, Dimitris Tzanakopoulos, (the 34-year-old who headed Alexis Tsipras’s political office since last year) made his first appearance in his new role on Tuesday but the latest opinion poll underlines that the coalition will need much more than fresh, young faces to revive its fortunes.
Cabinet reshuffle leaves some bitterness within SYRIZA
Alexis Tsipras’s new cabinet has mostly been welcomed as an attempt to conclude the second review and improve the government’s capacity in certain areas but on Monday it became apparent that the changes have not all been embraced by his party.
Tsipras freshens up cabinet, looking for balance with party and lenders
Greece’s new 48-member government will be sworn in on Saturday after Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras completed his reshuffle late on Friday night.