Greek Politics
PM defends grocery stipend, hopes to draw support from PASOK
Perhaps buoyed by a new opinion poll showing a slight bounce in his party’s ratings, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis mounted a stout defence on Wednesday of his government’s latest handout, which was dismissed as a pre-election gift by the opposition.
SYRIZA pushes alternative cost-of-living package but govt support still a vote-winner
The surprise announcement of a “Market Pass” for hard-pressed shoppers in the prime minister’s budget statement has attracted strong criticism from the opposition.
PM offers shopping bill subsidy as surveillance scandal threatens to spill over into judicial crisis
Facing a potential judicial/constitutional crisis over the surveillance scandal, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis presented a last-minute cost-of-living relief measure ahead of the vote on the 2023 budget, hoping that his government can allay any disquiet among voters.
ND tries to swerve fresh graft claims as EP scandals, phonetapping hang over budget debate
The Qatargate scandal centred on PASOK MEP Eva Kaili may have given ruling New Democracy some respite from defending its administration against mounting evidence of a domestic spying operation, but an investigation by the EU prosecutor into one of its own parliamentarians in Brussels has once again upset the balance.
PM turns on PASOK, sees opportunity to revive dwindling support
The Qatargate scandal involving Greek centre-left MEP Eva Kaili has presented New Democracy with an opportunity to turn its guns on PASOK and perhaps convince a crucial section of the electorate not to back the socialists in next year’s elections, as a new opinion poll shows support for the conservatives slipping.
Tsipras on alert for snap elections, but Mitsotakis looks set to stay course
SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras has suggested that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis could call snap elections early next year, several months before the government’s four-year term expires, but the chances of such a move appear slim for the time being.
Surveillance and Qatargate threaten to overshadow budget debate
The scheduled debate over next year’s budget kicks off today with political parties distracted by corruption scandals at home and abroad. With governing New Democracy is bracing for further revelations stemming from the surveillance affair, third party PASOK-KINAL is in damage limitation mode after the arrest of its MEP Eva Kaili in Brussels on corruption charges.
Report on minister's surveillance ups ante for ND, as PASOK reels from MEP's arrest
The government looks set for another turbulent week after weekly newspaper Documento published on Sunday evidence it claims proves that Labour Minister Kostis Hatzidakis was placed under surveillance by the National Intelligence Service (EYP) – a revelation that came less than 48 hours after SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras had asked Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to promise to resign if it is proved that EYP spied on Hatzidakis and the armed forces chiefs.
Opposition senses PM's position on phonetapping becoming weaker
The opposition parties have accused Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of running scared from the discussion in Parliament about the surveillance scandal and the draft law the government has put forward in response to the allegations about extensive phonetapping.
Parties clash on surveillance bill as PM insists he is putting national security first
The controversial surveillance bill was the focus of a heated debate in Parliament on Thursday, as Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis sought to dismiss criticism of the proposed changes to the workings of the national intelligence service.