Politics
Athens ticking off prior actions one by one as EU keeps close watch
European Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici is the latest EU official to visit Greece and check on the government’s progress in completing the tasks it has been set by lenders before the first review of the bailout programme later this month.
Differing views on refugee crisis at heart of Greek-German relations
The AKP’s resounding win in Turkey’s elections on Sunday is likely to put extra pressure on Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to discuss cooperation on the refugee crisis with Ankara.
Tsipras rages against EU over refugee crisis but own goals unclear
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras returned to the issue of the refugee crisis during his appearance in Greek Parliament on Friday, declaring himself “ashamed” of the way that the European Union is dealing with the problem.
Coalition starts to feel backlash from latest round of measures
The government is expected to unveil a second multi-bill on Thursday as it aims to catch up with the list of prior actions it needs to carry out to receive the next bailout tranche of 2 billion euros and then move on to the first review of the third bailout in November.
Passing of broadcasting bill introduces new challenges for coalition
The visit of the quadriga as well as a new round of EU talks on the refugee crisis overshadowed the passing of legislation in Greek Parliament on Saturday that introduces new criteria for the issuing of broadcasting licenses.
Latest EU plan to tackle refugee crises poses new, bigger challenges for Tsipras
Greece has agreed to provide the facilities needed to host 50,000 refugees while they wait for reallocation as part of a new EU agreement brokered on Sunday.
Tsipras takes big risk by axing public revenues chief Savvaidou
Alexis Tsipras took a major political gamble on Thursday by forcing general secretary for public revenues Katerina Savvaidou to leave her position, despite her insistence that she would not bow to the government's demands.
Greece changing direction on energy policy, warms to US-backed projects
Following a meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart Daniel Mitov in Athens on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias commented that “the world is changing and energy sources are changing,” which appears to be confirmation of the Greek government’s switch in energy policy.
Government meets resistance on TV permits and revenues chief
Alexis Tsipras's bid to replace the head of Greece's revenue service and launch a new tender for broadcasting licences with minimum fuss has not gone according to plan.
Tsipras sees political mileage in bill for broadcasting licences
The government unveiled on Monday its long-awaited draft legislation for the new broadcasting licence tenders, with the aim of voting the bill through on Saturday.