Politics
Migrant arrivals to measure impact of return scheme launched on Monday
Greece returned 202 migrants on Monday, the first day that the European Union’s plan for stemming the migratory flow and resettling refugees directly from Turkey was put into action.
Leaked IMF exchange sours mood before bailout review resumes
This week will serve as a good guide to whether the furore over the publication by WikiLeaks of a secretly recorded conversation between Poul Thomsen, the head of the International Monetary Fund’s European department, and Delia Velculescu, the IMF mission chief will be a temporary domestic distraction or could undermine the uneasy relationship between Greece and its lenders, and among the institutions themselves.
Unease mounts as Greece prepares to implement EU-Turkey refugee deal
Greece is set to take on Friday the next step in preparing for the implementation of the European Union’s agreement with Turkey regarding the return and resettlement of refugees.
New Democracy sticks by snap polls call as gov't looks to probe, tender for relief
Following Tuesday night’s tempestuous debate in Parliament, New Democracy stole a march on an apparently unprepared government by tabling on Wednesday a proposal for a parliamentary committee to investigate last year’s bailout negotiations, the imposition of capital controls and the bank recapitalisation.
Optimism for Cyprus solution abounds but talks at delicate phase
A visit by European Parliament president Martin Schulz to Cyprus on Wednesday added to the sense that the EU is holding out high hopes for a successful conclusion to the island’s reunification talks this year.
Calls for snap polls, parliamentary probes set tone for polarised politics
Tuesday night’s parliamentary debate, which was supposed to focus on judicial issues, turned into a slanging match between the government and the opposition and set the tone for the upcoming months as far as the Greek political scene is concerned.
Obstacles to centre-left alliance in Greek politics piling up
PASOK leader Fofi Gennimata is set to begin touring the country to raise the profile of her party but has not given up hope of brokering an alliance with some of its rivals even though this is increasingly looking like a non-starter.
Declining flow of refugees gives struggling government some hope
There have been some encouraging signs over the last few days that the European Union’s agreement with Turkey may be leading to a drop in the number of refugees crossing to Greece, thereby easing the pressure on the government.
Withdrawal of NGOs from refugee centres puts pressure on Greece to fill void
The departure of non-governmental organisations from hot spots and other centres where refugees and migrants are gathered in Greece is putting extra pressure on the coalition over its management of the crisis.
Brussels attacks prompt fears in Athens over handling of refugee crisis
Athens strongly condemned the terrorist attacks in Brussels and expressed its “profound grief at this heinous crime” but is seriously concerned about the consequences this may have on the refugee crisis and especially on the implementation of the EU–Turkey deal secured in the Belgian capital last week.