Politics
Budget passed but coalition handouts draw attention
The 2018 budget was approved by Parliament with no problems for the government, although it appears that the coalition may have some explaining to do to the institutions over the package of handouts announced over the last few days.
Talks on Macedonia name issue to be ramped up but Kammenos unmoved
A new effort aiming to solve the longstanding dispute between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) began last week in Brussels.
Parliament gears up for budget vote as auction concerns persist
Parliament is preparing for a vote on the 2018 budget late on Tuesday, with opinion polls giving differing views of the political balance in Greece as the year comes to an end.
Mitsotakis bids for nation's soul, Tsipras ramps up handouts
New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis attempted to rally his party over the weekend by launching a strong attack on the government, which Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras tried to repel.
PM stands ground on property auctions despite broad concern
More electronic auctions of repossessed properties took place this week, as the government had agreed with its lenders, but the coalition continues to see these transactions as potentially damaging to its political fortunes.
Tsipras eyes four-year term but snap polls an option after MoU exit
Alexis Tsipras has underlined again his intention to see out his four-year term as prime minister or, at the very least, not to call national elections before Greece has exited the third programme next summer.
Tusk proposals over refugee quotas puts Athens on alert ahead of EU summit
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is said to be steeling himself for a potential clash within the European Union over the fate of refugees, which has also been causing domestic problems of late.
Clock ticks on prior actions as coalition searches for solution on islands
The Greek government is under severe time pressure to complete some 70 prior actions remaining as part of the third review, while property auctions remain a thorn in the coalition’s side.
Erdogan visit leaves Athens with much to ponder, no visible signs of progress
As the dust begins to settle from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s two-day visit to Greece last week, questions can now be asked about whether the trip is likely to lead to any shift in relations between Athens and Ankara.
Auctions, strikes trouble Tsipras but focus still on programme exit
The busy few weeks ahead for the government, as well as the sensitivity of some of the measures that need to be carried out, have rekindled speculation about whether the pressure might become too much for the SYRIZA-led coalition, forcing Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to consider snap elections even before the third programme has been concluded.