Greek Politics
Snow melts in Athens, political row over storm response heats up
As the snow that fell in and around Athens on Tuesday began to melt on Wednesday, the political clash over responsibility for the aftermath of storm front “Medea” began to heat up.
Response to "Medea" brings storm of opposition criticism as govt sets sights on summer
A cold weather front, including snow and high winds brought much of Greece to a standstill on Tuesday, prompting strong criticism of the government’s response.
Govt looks for positives as it steps up vaccine rollout
Although much of the country is gripped by a cold snap, the Greek government is hoping that this week will mark the start of a marked increase in the vaccination rate, allowing the lockdown measures currently in place to be eased ahead of Greek Orthodox Easter on May 2.
University bill passes as parties' ideological dividing lines are laid bare
Parliament approved on Thursday the government’s contentious bill on university reform, although the vote is unlikely to settle the debate, and protests, about Greece’s tertiary education.
PM tries to contain Covid confusion as protests on education and lockdowns intensify
After a rough start to the week, which saw a cacophony of statements by government ministers and experts culminate in the announcement of a strict lockdown on Athens, PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis gave an extended interview to Skai TV’s evening news in which he sought to put his government’s messaging back on track.
PM tightens lockdown, braces for economic and political impact
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Tuesday that a stricter lockdown will be imposed from Thursday in Attica as Greece tries to avoid a new, damaging wave of coronavirus.
Impending lockdown decision highlights cabinet tensions, casts unflattering spotlight on experts
The government’s messaging over Covid-19 has fallen into disarray, as the looming threat of a stricter lockdown has opened up divisions among cabinet members, experts and interest groups.
Govt's management of Covid-19 response challenged again after latest measures, PM’s trip
The image of competence and sensible management of the coronavirus crisis which the Greek government has been trying to project since the early days of the crisis took a major hit over the past few days.
University bill a source of friction but govt unlikely to be ruffled
There has been further reaction to the government’s education bill this week as Education Minister Niki Kerameus came under more criticism from the opposition parties.
Unease over political pressure on experts accompanies rumours of stricter lockdown
The worsening epidemiological data in the greater Athens area as well as in the cities of Thessaloniki and Patra are heightening speculation that further restrictions are about to be introduced to curb the spread of the coronavirus.