Greek Politics
Govt forced to back down over Easter travel, turns focus to May re-opening
The government has abandoned tentative plans to allow Greeks to travel to their ancestral villages for the upcoming Orthodox Easter, but hopes that this will allow schools and businesses to re-open next month.
Govt in tight spot as opposition questions lockdown easing priorities
The mantra of “Easter in the village” seems unlikely to become a reality for Greeks next month, as comments from government and church officials suggest that travel between regions will not be allowed in time for Holy Week next week.
Govt ponders Covid measures for Easter as pandemic handling comes in for more scrutiny
Another week begins with doubt about the next steps the government will take in terms of its Covid-19 policy, amid growing attacks from the opposition regarding the way New Democracy has conducted itself with respect to the pandemic.
Set-to in Ankara well received in Athens, where Covid-19 data causes worry
Friday’s news agenda in Greece was dominated by the terse exchanges a day earlier between the Greek and Turkish foreign ministers, which overshadowed to a large extent another day of worrying Covid-19 data for the country’s health authorities.
Parties square up for all-out battle over upcoming labour bill
Parties in Greece are preparing to do battle, as New Democracy’s long-anticipated labour bill looks set to be tabled for debate in Parliament after Greek Easter in early May.
SYRIZA targets middle class with own plan for post-pandemic economic rebound
In an apparent bid to win over Greece’s middle class, which was still reeling from the last economic crisis when the pandemic hit, SYRIZA has presented a range of relief proposals, including debt writedowns.
ND wrong-foots SYRIZA with call to lift expat vote restrictions
The expat vote has become the latest pretext for a flare-up between the New Democracy government and opposition SYRIZA, as a new bill proposes to open up remote voting to the Greek diaspora.
Home testing starts as govt aims to break free from pandemic's grip
The government has started the week by focussing on what it hopes will be an imminent de-escalation of the Covid-19 crisis, relieving pressure on the national health system and the ruling New Democracy party.
Mitsotakis defends pandemic handling, denies snap election plans
As opposition criticism mounts on all fronts, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has offered a defence of his government’s handling of the pandemic and the economy, while seeking one more time to dispel rumours of early elections.
Govt banks on uptick in vaccines over coming months aiding return to normality
There was no respite for the government from the latest Covid-19 data this week, although the situation appears brighter as far as the rollout of the vaccine programme is concerned.