Politics
ND unveils migration bill seeking to tighten up asylum process, speed up returns
The government is seeking to overhaul Greece’s asylum procedure with the aim of tightening up the process and producing quicker decisions as well as faster returns of migrants who are not eligible for protection.
SYRIZA launches membership drive but still struggles with 2015 backwash
SYRIZA’s attempts to look to the future as it seeks to broaden its voter base have been somewhat overshadowed by the dragging up of the party’s problematic past.
Mitsotakis promotes constructive role as talks over electoral process continue
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has highlighted his willingness to compromise with the opposition parties over voting rights for diaspora Greeks in a bid to advertise his moderate style as well as to settle the longstanding electoral loose end.
Athens waits for EU action on Turkey and Greece's Balkan neighbours
Turkey’s actions in Syria and the East Med, as well as the EU prospects of Albania and North Macedonia are top of the diplomatic agenda for Greece this week, amid high-level meetings between European officials.
Athens prepares to send draft budget to Brussels, lines up next tax measures
The government is hoping to wrap up on Monday the budget negotiations it has been having over the last few weeks with the European institutions so next year’s draft economic plan can be submitted to the European Commission on Tuesday.
Mitsotakis eyes Christmas handout, tries to rally support for diaspora vote proposal
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis pledged on Thursday that his government would use any extra fiscal space at the end of the year “to support the weakest” in Greek society.
Despite ongoing budget talks, ND eyes more relief measures in coming months
Even though negotiations between Athens and the institutions regarding next year’s budget, and the potential fiscal gap, are continuing, New Democracy is targeting more relief measures this year and in 2020.
ND sees budget as evidence of pledges being kept, SYRIZA highlights flaws
Having submitted to Parliament on Monday the draft 2020 budget, including the tax cuts pledged by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in September, the government is turning its focus to other domestic political issues.
Defence agreement, views on Turkey attract most interest during Pompeo visit
The visit of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Athens was full of clear messages as well as symbolism.
Parties gear up for clash over escalating migration challenge
In his first parliamentary question time as prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis is due to be probed on Friday about the migration issue, which is fast becoming a burning political matter for his government.