Greek Politics
Government tries to deflect criticism over wildfires with appeal to patriotism
Wildfires continued to burn in many parts of Greece on Wednesday, casting a shadow over the government’s determination to pursue its legislative agenda at the start of its new term.
Fires cast growing shadow as new shipwreck probe is announced
Parliament was set to vote on the government’s economic bill on Wednesday in the shadow of the ongoing forest fires, which also claimed their first lives this summer.
Mitsotakis faces down critics over handling of forest fires
Opposition parties demanded answers from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on the authorities’ handling of catastrophic forest fires that continued to burn on various fronts, after a weekend of destruction which made global headlines with the evacuation of thousands of holidaymakers on the island of Rhodes.
Government focuses on safe evacuation as pressure from fires mounts
The pressure on the government over the handling of wildfires increased materially over the weekend as Greece experienced a record heatwave and thousands of tourists had to be evacuated on Rhodes as a blaze ripped through the island after burning for several days.
Spyware probe reveals multiple targets, prompts opposition calls for answers
The surveillance scandal, which had become virtually a non-issue in Greek politics over the last few months, is back as a topic of debate after the Data Protection Authority in Athens completed its investigation into the use of Predator spyware and published a summary of its findings on Thursday.
Government presses ahead with legislative work by delivering on some economic pledges
The government is not being sidetracked from its policy making by the ongoing wildfires, which have buffeted Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his administration this week, with more expected to come as the heatwave extends into a third week.
PM takes central role as fires continue to rage
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is trying to put himself front and centre in the government’s response to the ongoing wildfires as questions are being asked again about the level of preparedness for the current fire season and the resources available to the fire service.
Wildfires provide familiar test for government
As happened several times during its first term, the government is being tested by wildfires again after several large blazes broke out on Monday in and around Attica.
Government fleshes out priorities, SYRIZA sets dates for leadership vote
Amid a heatwave that has put the government on alert for potential wildfires, and an early blow to its reputation after recently being re-elected, New Democracy is fleshing out its priorities for the new term.
Mitsotakis primes public opinion for potential compromise with Turkey
In his first primetime domestic TV interview since winning re-election, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis suggested that he is seeking a comprehensive settlement with Turkey on longstanding disputes.