Politics
Lesvos fire highlights growing threat to government from refugee crisis
More than half of the Moria hotspot on Lesvos was destroyed in a fire on Monday night, underlining the increasing problems that Greek authorities are facing in dealing with the refugee crisis, which is one of the most serious, although not obvious, political risks for the current government.
Mitsotakis uses tax cut pledge as driving force in effort to provide alternative
New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis put forward plans for tax cuts as a main vote winner during his appearance at the Thessaloniki International Fair over the weekend, which culminated with the opposition politician renewing his call for snap elections.
Government's relationship with Stournaras teeters again
The spotlight is back on the government’s fractious relationship with Bank of Greece governor Yannis Stournaras after anti-corruption prosecutors reportedly raided the ex-finance minister’s home on the same day that the central bank blocked coalition-backed nominations for the top positions at troubled Attica Bank.
Uncomfortable questions regarding TV auction mount for coalition
The government is coming under increasing pressure from the opposition and revealing news stories regarding the recent auction for TV licences, which the coalition has held up as a shining example of its determination to take on vested interests and regulate the broadcasting sector.
Athens briefed as talks on Cyprus reunification intensify
United Nations special adviser on the Cyprus issue Espen Barth Eide visited Athens this week to brief Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias on the progress made during last month's intensive talks between the two leaders in Cyprus.
Opposition leaders rule out support for SYRIZA as battle for centre ground looms
The resumption of negotiations with Greece’s lenders and the series of challenges that lie ahead for the government have rekindled speculation about SYRIZA needing a new or extra coalition partner in the months to come.
Tsipras limits pledges and expectations in Thessaloniki
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’s eagerly-awaited appearance at the Thessaloniki International Fair over the weekend was marked by his apparent desire to keep expectations regarding handouts and debt relief relatively low, while stressing that economic recovery is close.
Mitsotakis pledges tax cuts, looks for party balance and broad appeal
New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis has pledged to reduce the ENFIA property level by 30 percent in his first two years of governing, suggesting that he has identified tax cuts as the main tool for attracting voters to his party.
![Photo by Myrto Papadopoulos [www.myrtopapadopoulos.com]](resources/toolip/img-thumb/2014/08/18/zappeio_myrto_1808-medium.jpg "Photo by Myrto Papadopoulos [www.myrtopapadopoulos.com]")
Stepping up search for alliances, Tsipras welcomes Euro-Med leaders
Before he devotes full attention to the domestic audience, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is hoping to enhance his standing outside Greece by strengthening ties with the Southern European leaders that are due in Athens on Friday for a summit called by the Greek premier.
Effort to unite PASOK and Potami seems to have hit a wall
The project to unite PASOK and To Potami in order to create a dynamic third force in Greek politics with the potential to be a key governing partner or kingmaker appears to be in danger of collapsing.