Greek Politics
Opposition parties continue to pursue wiretap claims, as surveillance bill passes first hurdle
The conservative government has seen its draft legislation on surveillance and spyware past the first hurdle in Parliament, but opposition parties continue to pursue multiple routes to pressure the authorities into an official investigation into media claims of a widespread government-sponsored surveillance operation.
PM offers uniformed personnel bonus as surveillance bill attracts more criticism
Opposition parties have accused Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of blatant electioneering after he announced on Tuesday that all those serving in the police and coast guard would receive a 600-euro bonus at the end of the year.
Tsipras pushes for more thorough probe into mounting wiretap allegations
SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras attempted on Monday to boost the low traction the surveillance scandal is receiving in Greece’s public debate by paying a visit to the Supreme Court prosecutor that is overseeing the investigation into the phonetapping claims.
Opposition parties vow to reverse public healthcare reforms
SYRIZA and PASOK have vowed to repeal the healthcare bill that New Democracy was expected to vote through Parliament on Friday.
Government determined to push through hospital reforms in pre-election legislative sprint
Hospital doctors and healthcare staff are striking over the latest raft of healthcare reforms tabled by the government. The New Democracy administration shows no signs of wavering on the unpopular legislation, keen to demonstrate in the final months of its term that it is delivering on its pledges.
SYRIZA gears up for looming elections as poll gap narrows
Perhaps encouraged by an apparent narrowing of the ratings gap between New Democracy and SYRIZA, the main opposition party is gearing up for the upcoming election campaign.
Opposition fails to make inroads in spyware hearing as denials continue
Opposition parties have accused governing New Democracy of continuing to keep Parliament in the dark about key aspects of the surveillance affair, after a fresh hearing of the institutions and transparency committee failed to uncover any new information.
MPs aim to probe spyware as govt brushes off latest reports
Parliament’s institutions and transparency committee is due to hear on Monday from one of the key figures in the phonetapping affair, in what could be a significant moment in the development of the surveillance saga.
Pension rises approved as public opinion teeters ahead of election year
Yet another poll published this week has shown some erosion in the support for New Democracy and points to some potentially worrying underlying trends for the government, which passed on Thursday the latest pension-related legislation that will lead to many retirees seeing a nominal increase in their retirement package next year, ahead of the general elections.
Energy measures reassure public, as govt scrambles to keep lid on other household costs
Public confidence in the government’s ability to tackle rising energy bills is keeping the conservatives ahead of their rivals in the polls despite the damage done to their credibility by the surveillance scandal.