Politics
Frustrated Androulakis rounds off surveillance inquiry as issue fails to gain traction
The parliamentary inquiry into the surveillance scandal, which has been beset by friction between the government and the opposition over the scope and thrust of the investigation, concluded on Friday with the questioning of PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis by MPs.
Govt Covid record questioned, as report highlights disparities in hospital death rates
A scientific paper on Covid mortality in Greece’s hospitals has prompted a fresh round of questioning of the government’s claims of success in handling the pandemic, as well as allegations of concealment over access to official statistics.
Rising contributions spark concern in key voter groups
Apart from turning a primary deficit into a surplus in what is expected to be a low-growth environment next year, the government is also facing another challenging balancing act as it will have raise social security contributions for the self-employed despite pledging lower levies for employers and employees.
Big two parties strengthen grip on voters, but dominance remains elusive
More polls conducted in the past week confirm the resurgence of Greece’s two main political parties at the expense of smaller players, as the effect of the surveillance scandal appears to have dissipated with the return to regular political business.
Cost-of-living, surveillance developments encourage ND to target majority in 2023
Following his numerous appearances in New York and the latest opinion polls showing that New Democracy has so far suffered minimal damage from the surveillance scandal, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is looking ahead to the upcoming election campaign with greater optimism and a growing sense that his party may be able to secure a parliamentary majority.
Mitsotakis counters Erdogan claims at UN, makes case for cooperation
In his address to the 77th United Nations General Assembly last Friday, Kyriakos Mitsotakis chose to point out the benefits of a peaceful and cooperative atmosphere between Greece and Turkey, but also to draw his government’s red lines vis a vis Turkey’s revisionist policies, making it clear that security, stability, and territorial integrity are non-negotiable for Athens.
Opposition anger at constrained surveillance inquiry not yet reflected in public mood
The opposition parties are growing increasingly frustrated with what they see as the government’s attempts to obstruct any meaningful investigation into the surveillance scandal, which for the time being seems to be low down on the list of Greek voters’ priorities.
Policy pledges bolster top two parties as ND erases losses from surveillance affair
Soundings conducted in the wake of political leaders’ speeches at the Thessaloniki International Fair show governing New Democracy and main opposition SYRIZA both strengthened their positions, while support for third party PASOK has remained more or less static.
Surveillance scandal produces more damaging revelations for ND
Just as Kyriakos Mitsotakis arrived in New York for a series of high-level meetings before his address to the United Nations general assembly later this week, the prime minister’s administration was beset by further problems at home as the parliamentary inquiry into the surveillance scandal took a surprising, and potentially damaging, turn.
Athens responds to Erdogan's accusations as Mitsotakis readies UN address
Greece and Turkey are using the platform available to them at the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York to put under the spotlight their outstanding differences on several issues and to exchange longstanding accusations at the highest international level.