Politics
Political leaders weigh up next moves in August lull
As legislative activity dies down for August, and before the commotion that will undoubtedly accompany the next bailout review in the autumn, leaders’ moves on the domestic political chessboard are attracting attention.
Factionalism rears its head in build-up to SYRIZA's congress
SYRIZA’s many sides, as well as its sometimes complex inner workings, were highlighted this week after police in Thessaloniki cleared three squats in the northern city that were being used to house refugees and migrants.
Tsipras sets out social policy goals in last stage of effort to shift political debate
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras concluded his attempt to shift the public debate away from the austerity measures passed by his government with the announcement on Wednesday of a set of policies aimed at softening the social impact of the crisis.
Parliament will not probe 2015 bailout negotiations but issue unlikely to disappear
The government voted down on Tuesday night a bid by the opposition to launch a parliamentary inquiry into last year’s protracted negotiations between the SYRIZA-led coalition and Greece’s lenders, leading to the imposition of capital controls.
Tsipras gets ball rolling on lengthy, ambitious bid to change constitution
Alexis Tsipras unveiled his proposals for the changes to the Greek Constitution on Monday night, indicating that he hopes it will be a process that engages voters and delivers political benefits for his government.
PASOK and Potami strengthen basis for cooperation
PASOK and To Potami are gradually moving closer to cementing their cooperation, which is expected to lead to the two parties coming under a single leader later this year.
Simple majority for new electoral law, which threatens future complications
As had been expected, the new electoral law was approved in Parliament on Thursday night but with a simple majority rather than a supermajority of at least 200 votes.
Lew highlights geopolitical dimension of debt relief discussion on visit to Athens
A few days after European Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Pierre Moscovici came to Athens and warned the government to drop its request for lower primary surplus targets after 2018, at least for the time being, US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew brought a more encouraging message during his visit.
Coalition to focus on constitutional reform after electoral law, as TV tender progresses
Any last remaining hope that the government had of clinching a supermajority in Thursday’s vote on the new electoral law was extinguished on Tuesday when Golden Dawn said it would not take part in the ballot.
Electoral law vote brought forward, refugee crisis returns to political agenda
The vote on the government’s proposal regarding a new electoral system will take place on Thursday this week, rather than Friday as had originally been planned.