Politics
![Photo by Myrto Papadopoulos [www.myrtopapadopoulos.com] Photo by Myrto Papadopoulos [www.myrtopapadopoulos.com]](resources/toolip/img-thumb/2013/10/12/samaras_myrrto_1000_1210-medium.jpg) Karatzaferis offers to boost New Democracy's right wing with LAOS alliance
 Karatzaferis offers to boost New Democracy's right wing with LAOS alliance         
        
        
        Whether Greece heads to snap elections or not in the next few months, the pre-election jostling for positions and formation of alliances is well underway.
 In bid to polish SYRIZA's image, Tsipras visits Mount Athos monks
 In bid to polish SYRIZA's image, Tsipras visits Mount Athos monks         
        
        
        There were a few raised eyebrows when SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras spent two days at the semi-autonomous monastic community on Mount Athos in northern Greece last week but his visit should be seen within the context of the leftist party trying to broaden its appeal and mend its damaged relationship with the Orthodox church.
 Multi-bill passes but coalition's relationship with armed forces and police sours further
 Multi-bill passes but coalition's relationship with armed forces and police sours further         
        
        
        A multi-bill of reforms that took the government some time to pull together was passed through Parliament with relatively little fuss on Wednesday but the government may face more serious consequences when some of the law’s provisions start to take effect.
 End of troika in Greece would create new challenges for coalition
 End of troika in Greece would create new challenges for coalition         
        
        
        While reports that the troika may be disbanded in favour of a more European Union Task Force-style body that will monitor Greek reforms in the years to come is likely to be received well by the coalition, such a development would not be without its own challenges.
 SYRIZA drawing up manifesto and foraging for allies
 SYRIZA drawing up manifesto and foraging for allies         
        
        
        SYRIZA will attempt to answer its critics in the next few weeks by drawing up a manifesto that aims to respond to the persistent doubts about whether the opposition party has the answers to Greece’s problems.
 Coalition reaches compromise on candidate for European Commission
 Coalition reaches compromise on candidate for European Commission         
        
        
        Greece has decided to nominate current Defense Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos as its representative for the new European Commission after he proved to be the most appropriate compromise candidate.
 Greek coalition locked in dispute over public sector reform
 Greek coalition locked in dispute over public sector reform         
        
        
        Greece's coalition appears to have averted one political confrontation this week but has found itself locked in another that might prove more complicated to get out of.
 Coalition caught between pleasing lenders and voters ahead of next troika review
 Coalition caught between pleasing lenders and voters ahead of next troika review         
        
        
        The troika wrapped up a brief assessment of the Greek adjustment programme this week, leaving the coalition facing an uphill task to be ready for the inspectors’ return in mid-September, when a much more substantial review will take place.
 Return of coastal bill may give SYRIZA new chance to build support
 Return of coastal bill may give SYRIZA new chance to build support         
        
        
        After failing in its bid to force Parliament to vote on whether to hold a referendum on the part-privatisation of the Public Power Corporation (PPC) earlier this month, SYRIZA now intends to confront the coalition over legislation aiming to make it easier to develop Greece’s coastline.
 DIMAR imploding and leaving gap in Greek center left
 DIMAR imploding and leaving gap in Greek center left         
        
        
        Democratic Left (DIMAR), once the junior partner in a three-party governing coalition, is in danger of complete collapse after losing two more MPs, who took parting shots at its leader Fotis Kouvelis, on Thursday.