Politics
FM gauges mood in Middle East, seeks to bolster ties with Egypt
The ongoing war in the Middle East as well as the increasing maritime insecurity in the Red Sea topped the agenda of talks Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis held during this week’s mini tour of countries in the region.
Majority for marriage equality in sight despite reluctance among ruling party MPs
After two days during which New Democracy MPs were briefed privately by government officials about the reasoning behind the marriage equality bill, as well as its details, the party appears confident that most of its lawmakers will back the legislation, although this still means that many could vote against it.
Centrist voters emerge as key to same-sex marriage initiative
The latest polls are yielding a more nuanced picture of the Greek public’s attitude to same-sex marriage and adoption, potentially backing up Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s instincts in pursuing the legislation against the objections of the ultra-conservative wing of his party.
Marriage equality bill causing reverberations within ruling party and opposition
The same-sex marriage bill is continuing to cause turmoil in Greece’s main political parties as at least one minister looks set to quit the New Democracy cabinet over the issue, while some SYRIZA officials have taken exception to the leftist party’s leader, Stefanos Kasselakis, ordering his MPs to vote in favour of the draft legislation or face expulsion.
Opposition set to back same-sex marriage bill, easing passage through Parliament
SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis has revealed that his party will support the marriage equality legislation being put forward by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, which now looks to have a chance of passing with the help of the opposition.
PM allows his MPs to abstain from same-sex marriage vote, puts ball in opposition court
In a wide-ranging TV interview on public channel ERT on Wednesday night, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis outlined his position on the upcoming legislation regarding marriage equality.
Government lines up new zoning scheme, fuelling debate over growth model
The government has unveiled its plans to introduce a new zoning plan, which it says will restore some order to construction activity in Greece but which others fear will pave the way for more building in areas outside of the updated scheme.
PM gambles on toned-down marriage equality proposal to win over right-wing objectors
The debate over equal recognition of same-sex unions looks set to move onto a more formal footing after Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that he will be launching a public dialogue in a televised interview scheduled for Wednesday.
Middle East and F-35s top agenda during Blinken's talks with Mitsotakis
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s whirlwind tour of the Middle East aimed at containing the conflict in Gaza began with a tricky Greek-Turkish prologue. The US diplomat met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul and then, in Crete, with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
Flurry of bills due in Parliament as legislative work resumes
Following the Christmas break, parliamentary activity is due to resume this week and the government has a series of bills that it aims to pass through the House over the coming days.