Greek Politics
Talk of negative impact from political risk sees tightening of Greek polls
The sense that Greece is in a full swing election campaign grew on Monday, as New Democracy and SYRIZA traded serious accusations, while Bank of Greece governor Yannis Stournaras warned that political instability is undermining the local economy.
Coalition sets bar low for presidential vote, opts for pre-election rhetoric
The government appears to have set 165 as its target for the number of MPs’ votes it hopes to garner in the first presidential ballot on Wednesday.
Papandreou seeks new, undefined role on political centre stage in Greece
Former Prime Minister George Papandreou has added to the political turmoil in Greece by suggesting that he would a seek a central political role if Parliament is unable to elect a president and the country heads to snap elections.
Opposition parties' stance on president provides gov't with little hope so far
Despite earlier speculation that Democratic Left (DIMAR) might disband so its members could join SYRIZA, the one-time coalition partner decided late on Wednesday that it would not make such a move. DIMAR also reaffirmed its decision not to vote for presidential candidate Stavros Dimas, making the chances of him being elected slimmer.
Could Democratic Left (DIMAR) hold the key to the Greek presidential election result?
In what could be a very tight presidential election, the role of one-time coalition partner Democratic Left (DIMAR) will be crucial.
All the numbers that matter in the Greek presidential election
The government’s surprise announcement on Monday that it is bringing forward the presidential election by two months marks the start of a desperate scramble for the votes of independent and opposition MPs that will determine whether the coalition survives or whether Greece heads for early national polls.
Samaras, Venizelos opt for earlier presidential vote in high-risk strategy to save coalition
The government has decided to move forward by around two months the presidential vote in Parliament, with the first roll call ballot taking place on December 17, followed by the second three days later and the final round on December 29.
Greek MPs pass 2015 budget but give few clues for presidential vote
The government won the vote for the 2015 budget in the early hours of Monday but the result provided few clues about how the presidential ballot, due in mid-February, could pan out.
Samaras finger wagging at troika a sign of pressure on Greek government
Prime Minister Antonis Samaras took the unusual step of criticising the troika on Tuesday, an indication of how frustrated the government feels as it is squeezed between lenders’ demands and domestic political pressures.
Tsipras remains sketchy on coalition options, negotiating positions
SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras gave on Monday his first televised interview since his party’s victory in the European Parliament elections but provided little new information regarding to his intentions for governing.