Greek Politics
Megafire surges into Athens suburbs, posing major challenge for PM
The megafire that broke out over the weekend north of Athens reached the capital’s suburbs on Monday, piling fresh pressure on Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his government after they had pledged a more modern and efficient approach to fire prevention and firefighting this summer.
Athens wildfire puts government on back foot after efforts to improve prevention, response
A large wildfire near Athens has forced Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to cut short his summer break and return to the capital, hoping that the blaze is contained and does not deliver another blow to his government following New Democracy’s shaky performance in the recent European Parliament elections.
Opposition striving to ensure surveillance scandal remains live issue
Greece’s opposition parties are refusing to let go of the surveillance issue despite the Supreme Court recently announcing that its investigation into the scandal found no evidence of state agencies or officials being involved in the illegal wiretaps.
Seasonal worries add to pressure on govt as opposition highlights holiday costs, hospital staffing
The PM’s office is on edge about the first opinion polls after the summer recess, as the government has been under sustained pressure since the EP elections, while opposition parties have been making more complaints about the cost of living and declining public services.
Opposition pledges no let-up on surveillance affair as watchdog joins Supreme Court critics
The controversial Supreme Court decision to shelve an investigation into potential government involvement in the use of spyware and illegal surveillance has been questioned in an article by the head of the communications privacy watchdog.
ND blocks parliamentary scrutiny of court’s surveillance decision, ratcheting up political tension
New Democracy has blocked a request from all the opposition parties for Parliament to scrutinise further a Supreme Court investigation into the wiretapping scandal, which will no doubt intensify the friction between the government and its opponents over this issue.
Domestic factors seen playing role in PM's pick for European Commission
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has picked Central Macedonia Governor Apostolos Tzitzikostas as Greece’s next representative on the European Commission, a decision that some observers believe was motivated at least partly by domestic political considerations.
Opposition demands scrutiny of surveillance verdict by Parliament
Five opposition parties have lodged a motion to hear testimony from the Supreme Court judges who earlier this week cleared the government and its agencies of any involvement in the use of illegal spyware.
Opposition parties cry foul over prosecutor’s findings in spyware probe
The decision by the Supreme Court to shelve the investigation into the possible involvement of government agencies or officials in the use of illegal spyware to eavesdrop on journalists, public figures and businessmen has enraged opposition parties who are calling the findings a whitewash.
SYRIZA seizes on latest spyware reports to renew pressure on government
The wiretapping scandal, involving the illegal surveillance of dozens of politicians, public officials, journalists and businessmen, is back at the forefront of the political debate this week after a series of revealing reports in the local media.