Greek Politics
Simple majority for new electoral law, which threatens future complications
As had been expected, the new electoral law was approved in Parliament on Thursday night but with a simple majority rather than a supermajority of at least 200 votes.
Lew highlights geopolitical dimension of debt relief discussion on visit to Athens
A few days after European Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici came to Athens and warned the government to drop its request for lower primary surplus targets after 2018, at least for the time being, US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew brought a more encouraging message during his visit.
Coalition to focus on constitutional reform after electoral law, as TV tender progresses
Any last remaining hope that the government had of clinching a supermajority in Thursday’s vote on the new electoral law was extinguished on Tuesday when Golden Dawn said it would not take part in the ballot.
Tsipras eyes connection with voters through changes to constitution, electoral system
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has suggested that he may put planned changes to Greece’s Constitution, including the election of the president by the people rather than Parliament, to a referendum.
Coalition and opposition make proposal and counter-proposal in build-up to electoral law vote
The apparent bartering over the proposed changes to Greece’s electoral law is intensifying as the vote on the government’s bill approaches.
Siemens trial hitch ratchets up tension between coalition and judiciary
The Siemens cash-for-contracts scandal, which played a significant role in undermining voters’ trust in Greece’s main parties, PASOK and New Democracy, in the past, has reared its head again, prompting a no-holds barred battle between the government and the judiciary.
Coalition goes in search of deciding votes for electoral law, prepares more legislation
Parliament will be at the heart of political activity in Greece in the coming days as the government continues its effort to garner votes for its proposal to change the electoral system, while preparing a series of other bills as well.
Coalition tweaks draft electoral law in hope of clinching supermajority
The government has tweaked the electoral reform bill, hoping that a minor change will increase its chances of gaining the votes of at least 200 MPs so that new system can apply immediately.
Opposition tries to pin government down over last year's Plan X
New Democracy MPs asked the government on Thursday to make public any documents connected with the so-called Plan X that former Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis worked on during the first half of last year.
First step in TV licensing process completed as controversy continues
The government has received 11 expressions of interest in the new TV broadcasting licenses it plans to put to tender in August.