Politics
Mitsotakis aims to cultivate Chinese investment, trade opportunities
An extended trip to China has provided Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis with the opportunity to promote the new government’s approach to potential investors, while also talking up the potential for Greek companies to do business in Asia.
Greece aims to bolster Balkan role to dull impact of EU veto for Skopje, Tirana
Athens is planning specific moves to bolster its role in the Balkans and to avert any developments that could be against Greek interests following France’s decision to veto accession talks for North Macedonia and Albania.
Asylum bill passes as SYRIZA turns up heat on Mitsotakis
The government’s attempt to overhaul Greece’s asylum system with the main aim of speeding up the returns of those not eligible for protection has been approved by Parliament but continues to stoke political controversy.
ND looks to asylum bill, strong rhetoric to ease pressure from migration flows
MPs have begun debating the government’s proposal for an overhaul of Greece’s asylum laws, which New Democracy sees as an important step towards facilitating the return of arrivals who are not eligible for protection and thereby easing the pressure on Greek islands and authorities in general.
ND and SYRIZA square up as Novartis inquiry gets underway
Parliament’s preliminary inquiry into the Novartis affair and the alleged manipulation of the case by former alternate justice minister Dimitris Papangelopoulos to damage SYRIZA’s political rivals was due to begin on Tuesday.
Development bill adopted as ND targets investment and growth
New Democracy strongly defended the development bill adopted by Parliament on Thursday and which the government hopes will pave the way for more investment and growth in Greece.
Greek concerns about name deal grow after North Macedonia's EU bid is blocked
Athens is watching closely the political developments in North Macedonia, which is heading for snap elections on April 12 that were triggered by France vetoing the opening of EU accession talks with Skopje during the recent European Council.
ND on cusp of brokering deal over diaspora vote as Novartis battle heats up
Although MPs have started to debate the 2020 draft budget, which encapsulates the government’s economic policy going forward, the focus of Greek politics is currently on an apparent rare moment of compromise between the parties over allowing Greeks living abroad to vote in the national elections from their country of residence.
Vital economic legislation lined up as ND seeks compromise over diaspora vote
The government is gearing up for a busy legislative period in the coming months, which will include tax and pension reforms as well as the adoption of the 2020 budget.
ND unveils migration bill seeking to tighten up asylum process, speed up returns
The government is seeking to overhaul Greece’s asylum procedure with the aim of tightening up the process and producing quicker decisions as well as faster returns of migrants who are not eligible for protection.