Greek Politics
Fragility of summit pledge for border status quo already evident
Although the Greek government emerged relatively pleased from the European Council that ended on Friday, by Monday it was already clear that Greece will be living on the edge until the EU and Turkey sit down to discuss the refugee crisis at a special summit on March 6.
Meeting with farmers marks start of renewed effort to reach bailout review deal
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is due to meet with representatives of farming unions at noon on Monday to discuss their objections to the government’s plans for increases in tax and social security contributions.
Amid mounting pressure, gov't hopes parallel programme will provide fillip
The government submitted to Parliament on Friday the so-called “parallel programme” aimed mainly at easing the impact of the crisis on the most vulnerable groups in Greek society.
Stress and strain for gov't from farmers protests, police appointments
The government is playing the long game with regard to the farmers’ protests against its tax and pension reforms in the hope that differences between the various groups as well as the need to return to the land will lead to the demonstrations fizzling out but this does not mean the coalition is not feeling the toll.
![Photo by Myrto Papadopoulos [www.myrtopapadopoulos.com]](resources/toolip/img-thumb/2013/11/02/goldendawntorches_myrto_1000_011-medium.jpg "Photo by Myrto Papadopoulos [www.myrtopapadopoulos.com]")
Sensing opportunity, Golden Dawn rears its head again
Two Golden Dawn MPs were ousted from a parliamentary committee on Wednesday after verbally abusing Defence Minister Panos Kammenos, highlighting the growing confidence that the Neo-Nazi party’s MPs seem to be feeling.
Coalition hopes to ride out pension and tax dispute with farmers
There were signs on Monday of a possible thaw in the frosty relations between the government and the farmers, whose protest against tax and pension reforms in Athens on Friday increased the tension between the two sides.
Coalition opens up new political front with tender for TV licenses
Parliament is due to debate and vote on Thursday an emergency amendment that would allow the government to launch, and oversee, a tender for four national TV licenses.
Bailout review differences feed speculation about Tsipras turning to elections
Speculation is growing in Greece about the possibility that Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras might resort to snap elections if he is not able to secure the kind of agreement that he wants with lenders as part of the first bailout review.
In grip of protests, coalition searches for ways to lift mood
With farmers deciding to step up their protests against the government’s pension and tax reforms, there is even more pressure on Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to find ways of deflecting the criticism of his coalition and changing the mood.
Coalition feels wrath on pensions but not in opposition's interest to push hard
Greece’s negotiations with its lenders over the first review of the third bailout were due to continue on Thursday against the backdrop of another general strike.