Politics
Greece and Turkey edging forward with political dialogue
Greece and Turkey plan to take the next steps in their political dialogue on 11 March. Deputy Foreign Minister Alexandra Papadopoulou will meet her Turkish counterpart Burak Aksapar in Ankara to assess the most difficult issues on the agenda.
Parties gear up for vote on bill permitting private universities
This Friday’s vote in Parliament on the government’s university reform bill provides the main political showpiece of the week as it is the latest issue over which the government and the opposition disagree.
Greece firms up participation in Red Sea mission, rules out sending troops to Ukraine
Athens has ruled out any possibility of sending troops to Ukraine, after French President Emmanuel Macron raised the prospect last week.
Backwash from stormy congress still rocking SYRIZA as support for Greek Solution rises
SYRIZA continues to suffer the aftereffects of its turbulent party conference last week as ultranationalist Greek Solution emerges as the main beneficiary of a decline in support for all the main parties, including New Democracy.
Government focuses on cost of living and farming as polls confirm strong lead
The protests of recent weeks have not dented New Democracy’s lead in the opinion polls, leaving Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to focus on the areas which the government considers to be key to its continuing dominance, namely inflation, farming and managing the stealthy rise of the far-right vote.
Government feels the heat over investigation on anniversary of Tempe rail crash
One year on from the train collision at Tempe which claimed the lives of 57 passengers and railway staff, the government is battling to defend the investigation of the accident against accusations of a cover-up.
University bill meets with strong opposition as MPs begin debating reform
MPs are due to begin debating on Tuesday the government’s university reform bill, which paves the way for foreign institutions to set up chapters in Greece and appears to have no support from the opposition parties.
Fresh SYRIZA leadership battle called off as chaotic party conference concludes
SYRIZA’s chaotic party conference concluded on Sunday with delegates rejecting the idea of another leadership ballot just five months after Stefanos Kasselakis was elected, but the leftists could struggle to recover from the blow dealt to their credibility by the past days’ events.
Kasselakis takes up leadership challenge as SYRIZA struggles to retain credibility
Just five months after electing a new leader, SYRIZA’s regression in the opinion polls has now been matched by intense infighting over the approach taken by Stefanos Kasselakis.
Government's proposals for draconian sentencing deemed unenforceable by opposition
Fresh reforms to the criminal justice code which the government claims will speed up court cases and provide better protection for citizens are being questioned by opposition parties who are calling them populist and warning they will prove ineffective.