Politics
Evia flooding reopens government's summer wounds
Flooding on the island of Evia over the weekend indicates that the government has not yet been able to put behind it the fallout from this summer’s wildfires, which cost New Democracy and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis some points in the opinion polls that have been published since September.
France defence pact secures strong backing despite questions over finances, motives
Greece’s defence agreement with France, including the purchase of at least three warships, received strong approval in Greek Parliament on Thursday despite becoming a point of contention between the government and main opposition.
Govt prepares to increase energy subsidies, lifts most Covid restrictions
The government is said to be readying additional funds to shield consumers against further hikes in energy prices, after the latest figures indicate that the recently announced subsidy scheme will not be sufficient.
Ousting of govt MP brings to fore leadership unease, angst over far right
After a string of incidents involving controversial MP Konstantinos Bogdanos, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has ousted the deputy from New Democracy’s parliamentary group, reducing the government’s majority to a still-comfortable seven seats.
Mood sours as Greece and Turkey head for new round of exploratory talks
Greece and Turkey return on Wednesday for the 63rd round of their exploratory talks, this time in Ankara, with the possibility that they could eventually lead to international arbitration if enough common ground is found.
Govt mulls more freedoms for vaccinated, while arrest highlights evolving far-right networks
Changes are afoot in key agencies at the front line of the pandemic, as the Greek government says it plans to further loosen restrictions on vaccinated citizens and refresh its public health messaging going into autumn.
ND walks tightrope with 2022 budget, looks for answer to inflation
Greece’s economic prospects and the impact on households from spiralling prices are dominating the political agenda this week.
Support for ND and PM ebbs, but SYRIZA still floundering
A new opinion poll published on Thursday is the latest to show a significant drop in the support for the centre-right government and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis over the past few months, but with none of this translating into a direct benefit for the main opposition party, SYRIZA
Violent clashes at Thessaloniki school turn focus on neo-Nazi youth recruitment
Clashes in and around a vocational high school in Thessaloniki resulted in injuries and arrests, while raising fears about the resurgence of neo-Nazi groups a year after the leaders of Golden Dawn were handed long jail sentences for murder and racketeering.
Athens sees multiple defence, geopolitical benefits in pact with France
French President Emmanuel Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis signed in Paris on Tuesday what they described as a “historic” defence agreement involving new warships and a mutual assistance clause.